Visualization of possible conversions
DOWNTOWN BILLINGS TRAFFIC STUDY: ALTERNATIVE PRIORITIZATION AND PUBLIC PREFERENCE PLAN Draft Report December 2020 CONTENTS
Executive Summary...... 3 Project Purpose...... 3 Synopsis of Public Feedback...... 4
Background...... 6 Timeline...... 7 Goals and Strategies...... 8 Study Area...... 9 Public Engagement Effort...... 10 Survey Population...... 15 Survey Results...... 16 One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: North and South-Bound...... 16 One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: East and West-Bound...... 19 Road Diet: Montana Avenue...... 21 Road Diet: 6th Avenue North...... 23 Road Diet: 13th Street...... 25 Seasonal Road Closure: Broadway Avenue...... 27 Other Survey Content...... 29
Appendix A: Public Comment Log...... 35 Appendix B: Example Outreach Materials and Media...... 57 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Project Purpose The Downtown Billings Traffic Study Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan project was prompted by the Downtown Billings Traffic Study (DBTS), completed for the City of Billings Engineering Division by Kittelson and Associates and DOWL and released in June 2019. This study solicited public feedback and prioritization preference of the feasible transportation network alternatives vetted in the DBTS. The vetted alternatives presented to the public are: One-Way to Two-Way Conversions: North and South – Converts north and south one-way streets between Division Street and 24th Street to two-way operation One-Way to Two-Way Conversion: East and West (2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N) – Converts 2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N west of 22nd Street to Division Street to two-way operation Road Diet: Montana Avenue (Division Street to 18th Street) – Provides options to accommodate all roadway users within existing curb limits Road Diet: 6th Avenue N (Main Street to North 13th Street) – Provides options to accommodate all roadway users within existing curb limits Road Diet: 13th Street (Between 6th Avenue North and 1st Avenue North) – Provides options to accommodate all roadway users within existing curb limits Broadway Street Closure – Creates a festival street by closing Broadway Street to vehicles between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue. The DBTS noted a permanent closure, but this project explored public perspectives related to a seasonal closure at the direction of the City-County MPO.
Figure 1. Study Area
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 03 Synopsis of Public Feedback DOWL solicited public opinion on the proposed alternatives through in-person and virtual presentations to the public and stakeholder groups, direct outreach to property owners, and media coordination. An online website and survey was developed to collect feedback, with questions written to address corridor specifics, sometimes breaking corridors into multiple questions to accommodate differing dynamics along the corridor. Bicycle facilities were also integrated into the questions, in accordance with the 2016 Billings Bikeways and Trails Master Plan. The online platform tracked a total of 6,176 visits from 2,393 users who completed 455 surveys and submitted 526 comments related to the project in general and specific alternatives. Overall, feedback collected was receptive to alterations to the current traffic system. One-Way to Two-Way Conversions: North and South This segment of the survey included six questions, five offering feasible options on 33rd, 34th, and 35th Streets; 26th, 29th, and 31st Streets; 30th and 32nd Streets; 25th Street; and 25th Street at the MET Transfer Center; and one offering an option for participants to comment. Of the 2,167 survey answers provided to this line of questioning, 65% were in favor of a conversion. 116 comments were made offering feedback related to traffic flow, the need for bike lanes, parking concerns/need, and safety. One-Way to Two-Way Conversion: East and West (2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N) This segment of the survey included two questions, one asking about the conversion from one-way to two way and one offering an option for participants to comment. Of the 442 survey answers provided to this line of questioning, 61% were in favor of a conversion. 65 comments were made offering feedback; recurring themes included economic impact, concern over construction expense and possible congestion, and need for bicyclist and pedestrian safety. Road Diet: Montana Avenue (Division Street to 18th Street) This segment of the survey included four questions, three asking about possible road diet options between 30th-35th Street, 27th- 30th Street, and 18th-27th Street, and one offering an option for participants to comment. Of the 1,326 survey answers provided to this line of questioning, 60% were in favor of a conversion. 94 comments were made offering feedback; recurring themes included varying opinions on the need for bike facilities and concerns over congestion, traffic speed and pedestrian safety on the east end of Montana Avenue, and loss of parking spaces.
Montana Avenue currently has three one-way lanes with parallel parking on either side.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 04 Road Diet: 6th Avenue N (Main Street to North 13th Street) This segment of the survey included three questions, two asking about possible road diet options between 10th Street and Main Street, and 13th Street and 10th Street, and one offering an option for participants to comment. Of the 2,167 survey answers provided to this line of questioning, 66% were in favor of a conversion. 61 comments were made offering feedback; recurring themes included concerns about congestion and commute time. Others emphasized the need for a connection for bicyclists between the Heights and Downtown and bike/pedestrian safety. References to the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) Master Plan, 5th Avenue N project, and Inner Belt Loop integration were also made. The consideration of Metra event-related traffic was also encouraged. Road Diet: 13th Street (Between 6th Avenue North and 1st Avenue North) This segment of the survey included three questions, two asking about possible road diet options between 4th Avenue N and 6th Avenue N, and 1st Avenue N and 4th Avenue N, and one offering an option for participants to comment. Of the 875 survey answers provided to this line of questioning, 60% were in favor of a conversion. 29 comments were made offering feedback; recurring themes included the need for bicycle and pedestrian safety, traffic flow and BIRD development. Others questioned the need for bike lanes in the industrial area of town and related expense. Again, integration with the East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) Master Plan and 5th Avenue N project were recommended. Seasonal Closure: Broadway Avenue This segment of the survey included two questions, one asking about a seasonal closure and one offering an option for participants to comment. Of the 441 survey answers provided to this line of questioning, 64% were in favor of a conversion. 603 comments were made offering feedback; recurring themes included business access, economic vitality, and activity in downtown. Some participants expressed a desire to see a full closure, while others were concerned about the impact to traffic flow and parking spaces. Overall, members of the public and stakeholder groups who engaged with the project provided passionate, thoughtful opinions. Citizens are deeply engaged in the community and downtown; hopeful that improvements would increase economic vitality and spur development; and concerned about accessibility, walkability and bikability.
2nd Avenue North currently has three one-way lanes with parallel parking on either side.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 05 BACKGROUND
The transportation network in downtown Billings has served the community in various ways since its inception is constantly reviewed to change to meet current demands and technologies. In an effort to continue to meet community needs, the City of Billings conducted the Downtown Traffic Study in partnership with Kittelson and Associates and DOWL. The study, released in June 2019, identified six feasible alternatives for City consideration. The process and results outlined in this report was a public outreach effort to collect public preferences related to the feasible alternatives. This study solicited public feedback and prioritization preference of the feasible transportation network alternatives vetted in the DBTS. The vetted alternatives presented to the public are: One-Way to Two-Way Conversions: North and South – Converts north and south one-way streets between Division Street and 24th Street to two-way operation One-Way to Two-Way Conversion: East and West (2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N) – Converts 2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N west of 22nd Street to Division Street to two-way operation Road Diet: Montana Avenue (Division Street to 18th Street) – Provides options to accommodate all roadway users within existing curb limits Road Diet: 6th Avenue N (Main Street to North 13th Street) – Provides options to accommodate all roadway users within existing curb limits Road Diet: 13th Street (Between 6th Avenue North and 1st Avenue North) – Provides options to accommodate all roadway users within existing curb limits Broadway Street Closure – Creates a festival street by closing Broadway Street to vehicles between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue. The DBTS noted a permanent closure, but this project explored public perspectives related to a seasonal closure at the direction of the City-County MPO.
DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC STUDY Billings, Montana
June 2019
Figure 2. Downtown Traffic Study
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 06 TIMELINE
The following graphic illustrates the general timeline of this project.
Figure 3. Project Timeline
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 07 GOALS AND STRATEGIES
Goal Goal Goal Take the Message to the Informative Outreach Feedback from Broad Public Strategy Demographics
Strategies Strategies Strategies In-person meetings were To collect relevant feedback, With local knowledge of the scheduled with local stakeholder stakeholders were educated of the community and the various groups until local restrictions advantages and disadvantages of demographics represented, forced virtual meetings responding each alternative through outreach outreach plan strategically to COVID-19 impacts. including presentations, personal addressed both varied age and A promotional video soliciting conversations, and print and digital geographic demographics. publicinput was produced and materials. The goal was to obtain 400 boosted on Facebook in response A PowerPoint presentation survey responses to achieve a to local meeting restrictions. discussed the advantages/ statistically valid survey; the total disadvantages to survey number of completed surveys was participants as they participated in 455. Prioritization of educated the survey. participation steered outreach Due to pandemic restrictions, strategies. a video recording of the presentation was posted on the project website to serve as a stand- alone introduction to the survey.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 08 STUDY AREA
This project was based on the study area identified in the DBTS. The boundaries extended west to east from Division Street to Exposition Drive and north to south from 6th Avenue North to 1st Avenue South.
Figure 4. Study Area
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 09 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORT
The objective of the project was to identify public preference for each alternative including preferred bicycle facility options; and to do this, the following tools and tactics were engaged. Example outreach materials and news coverage is included inAppendix B. Online Website/Survey. An interactive online tool was developed, using the Social Pinpoint platform, to collect public feedback. Based on survey results 64% of people accessed the survey on their desktop, 30% on mobile devices, and 6% on tablets. Information about the project was provided on the landing page discussing the purpose of the project, answering FAQs, offering contact information, and defining terms found in the survey (road diet, buffered bike lane, conventional bike lane, cycle track, separated bike lane, and sharrow). The website also included a detailed survey, a budgeting tool, and an idea wall to collect general feedback participants wished to off that were not captured through the survey questions. Figure 5: Screenshot of Social Pinpoint landing page. The survey is also mobile-friendly In partnership with the City-County Planning Division team, the following questions were developed and asked of survey participants: Question Possible Answers Demographic Data Under 18 18-25 26-39 Age range (optional) 40-60 60-75 75+ Male Gender (optional) Female Prefer not to answer Less than $50,000 $50,001-$75,000 What is your annual household income? (optional) $75,000-$100,000 $100,000+ Some schooling High school diploma Some college What is your level of education? (optional) Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctorate Degree Zip code where you live. (optional) Blank text box provided Zip code where you work. (optional) Blank text box provided What ethnicity do you identify as? (optional) Blank text box provided
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 10 One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: North and South-Bound No. Leave them the way they are. Would you like to see (north and south-bound) 33rd Street, Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with front-in angled and 34th Street and 35th Street converted from one-way to two- way traffic? parallel parking. Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with only parallel parking. No. Leave them the way they are. Would you like to see (north and south-bound) 31st Street, Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with front-in angled and 29th Street, and 26th Street converted from one-way to parallel parking. two-way traffic? Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with back-in angled and parallel parking. Would you like to see (north and south-bound) 30th Street No. Leave them the way they are. and 32nd Street converted from one-way to two-way Yes. Provide a protected bike lane. traffic? Yes. Provide front-in angled parking with a sharrow. No. Leave it the way it is. Would you like to see (north and south-bound) 25th Street converted from one-way to two-way traffic? Yes. Provide parallel parking with a protected bike lane. Yes. Provide front-in angled parking with a sharrow. No. Leave them the way they are. Yes. I prefer a conventional bike lane and sharrow. I understand Would you like to see (north and south-bound) 25th Street that as a result, no on-street parking can be provided at this at the MET Transfer Center converted from one-way to two- way traffic? location. Yes. I prefer a sharrow in each lane. I understand that as a result, no on-street parking can be provided at this location. Do you have any other comments regarding the conversion of north and south-bound streets from one-way to two- Blank text box provided way? One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: East and West-Bound No. Leave them the way they are. Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with conventional bike lanes Would you like to see (east and west-bound) 2nd Avenue and parallel parking. N and 3rd Avenue N converted from one-way to two-way traffic? Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with a sharrow, and front-in angled and parallel parking. Yes. I would prefer a center turn lane and sharrows. Do you have any other comments regarding the conversion of east and west-bound 2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N Blank text box provided from one-way to two-way? Road Diet: Montana Avenue No. Leave it the way it is. Yes. I would like a separated bike lane with back-in angled Would you like to see Montana Avenue between 30th Street and 35th Street modified to allow for more options? parking. Yes. I would like a cycle track. I understand that as a result, no on-street parking will be available. No. Leave it the way it is. Would you like to see Montana Avenue between 27th Street and 30th Street modified to allow for more options? Yes. I would like separated bike lane. Yes. I would like cycle track. No. Leave it the way it is. Yes, I would like a separated bike lane. Would you like to see Montana Avenue between 18th Street and 27th Street modified to allow for more options? Yes. I would like a cycle track. Yes. I would like back-in angled and parallel parking. I understand that as a result, no bike facility is included.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 11 Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed modifications to Montana Avenue? Blank text box provided Road Diet: 6th Avenue No. Leave it the way it is. Would you like to see 6th Avenue between 10th Street and Main Street modified to allow for more options? Yes. I would like a protected bike lane. Yes. I would like a multi-use path. No. Leave it the way it is. Would you like to see 6th Avenue between 13th Street and 10th Street modified to allow for more options? Yes. I would like a protected bike lane. Yes. I would like a separated multi-use path. Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed modifications to 6th Avenue N Avenue? Blank text box provided Road Diet: 13th Street No. Leave it the way it is. Would you like to see 13th Street between 4th Avenue N and 6th Avenue N modified to allow for more options? Yes. I would like conventional bike lanes and parallel parking. Yes. I would like sharrows with a center turn lane and parking. Would you like to see 13th Street between 1st Avenue N and No. Leave it the way it is. 4th Avenue N modified to allow for more options? Yes. I would like protected bike lane. Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed modifications to 13th Street? Blank text box provided Seasonal Road Closure: Broadway Avenue Would you like to see Broadway Avenue closed seasonally No. I like it the way it is. between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue N? Yes. I like the idea of seasonal closure. Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed modifications to Broadway Avenue? Blank text box provided Conclusion Questions North and South One-Way to Two-Way Conversion East and West One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion Please rank the six proposed alternatives in order of your Montana Avenue Road Diet preference (highest priority at the top, down to your lowest priority). 6th Avenue Road Diet 13th Street Road Diet Broadway Avenue Seasonal Street Closure Daily Weekly How often to you use bike lanes in Billings? Monthly Infrequently Never Daily How often do you use Downtown Billings parking garages? Weekly Email Blank text box provided Figure 6. Survey Questions
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 12 Final Survey Participation Data Total Visits 6176 Unique Users 2393 Average Time 1:59 mins Comments: General 58 One-Way to Two-Way (N-S) 116 One-Way to Two-Way (E-W) 65 Road Diet: Montana Ave. 94 Road Diet: 6th Ave. N 61 Road Diet: N. 13th St. 29 Seasonal Closure: Broadway Ave. 103 Total: 526 Survey Responses 455 Budget Responses 34 Figure 7. Final Survey Participation Data
Presentations to Stakeholder Groups. Presentations and/or project information was provided to the following stakeholder groups to discuss the Study, the purpose of the project, and the advantages/disadvantages of the proposed alternatives. Downtown Billings Alliance, Business Improvement District, All-board Meeting Downtown Billings Property Owner Group Billings Industrial Revitalization District (BIRD) and East Billings Urban Renewal District (EBURD) Big Sky Economic Development and Better off in Billings Heights Task Force Pioneer Park Task Force Southside Task Force Billings Downtown Rotary Billings West End Rotary Billings Chamber of Commerce NextGen Breakfast Exchange Club West High School Rocky Mountain College Living Independently For Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) Yellowstone Citizens Advisory Council Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Leadership Billings Montana Association of Female Executives Billings Police Department Billings Fire Department Billings TrailNet Visit Billings Visit Southeast Montana A video recording of the presentation was also posted it to the project website when other outreach opportunities were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 13 Facebook Page. A project-specific Facebook page was developed to engage participation through boosted posts and leverage the Facebook Data pre-existing social media following of partner pages. Total Post Engagement 459 Total Post Reach 4,127 Figure 9. Facebook Engagement Data
Figure 8. Project Facebook Page
Press Releases and Media Coordination.Two press releases were distributed and follow-up and coordination with multiple local media representatives resulting in project information being shared by: Billings Gazette KULR8 Figure 10. Project Poster in Downtown Kiosk Yellowstone County News KSVI ABC6/Fox 4 Yourbigsky.com Community 7 Northern News Network Hot 101.9 Newsbreak.com Q2 Desert Mountain Broadcasting "Love Billings" Public Service Announcement. In partnership with Community 7, a video was developed about the outreach effort that was posted on the Facebook page and shared with local media. Letters and Emails.Direct mail letters were sent to community leaders and property owners within the project boundaries. Emails were sent to engaged participants to prompt participation in the survey and provide project updates through Constant Contact. Local partners also shared the content to their pre-existing email lists. Posters. Project posters were displayed in the Downtown Billings Association's kiosks and on MET buses. Rack Cards. Project brochures were developed and handed out to partners and at any possible in-person outreach events. Figure 11. Project Rack Card
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 14 SURVEY POPULATION
The City of Billings is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who are very passionate about their city and streets. The survey resulted in a sample size of 455 participants, ranging from under 18 to 75+, with the majority aged 26-60. Level of education among surveyors varied, but a significant majority of respondents have an education level of a Bachelor's degree or higher. 33% of participants were female, 39% are male, and 28% preferred to not respond. Annual household incomes range from less than $50,000 to $100,000+, with majority being less than $75,000. The following survey findings illustrate how participants feel about the proposed alternatives to the downtown Billings traffic system. All comments received from the survey have been included in Appendix A.
Figure 12. Survey Demographic Data
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 15 SURVEY RESULTS The following charts illustrate how respondents felt about the various alternatives that were posed to them. One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: North and South-Bound Survey Response Data
Figure 13. One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: North and South Bound Survey Data
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 16 Visualization
Before After*
Figure 14. Before (top) and After (bottom) images to offer a visualization of the potential conversions. *While this study was being done, bonding associated with TIFF funding moved forward for improvements on North 29 Street and North 30th Street. Based on property owner coordination, angled parking was the desired layout, therefore, eliminating the opportunity for bike lanes on these streets. Bike facilities can still be included in the design of other north-south streets.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 17 Yes. I prefer a sharrow in each lane. I understand that as a result, no on-street parking can be provided at this location.: 68
A two lane traffic flow with parking Overall, I am in favor of convertingNo. Leave as them the wayTurn they North are.: 19326th Street to North 22nd would be a big benefit towards many N-S streets from one way to two Street between Montana and 1st Avenue downtown businesses. The lower traffic way as possible. North into one ways with front load speed promotes pedestrian safety angled parking on each side. Turn the and encourages people to walk by There aren't enough cyclists in the entire alley between the locations into walking businesses more. county to justify the expense. well lighted space. Create Speak Easy alley entrances. Adds on street parking Yes. I prefer a conventional bike lane and and slows down traffic for a more walker sharrowIt. Iseems understand that that every as a r 10esult, to no 20 years we We do a lot of aerial lift work downtown, on-streetgo parking from can2 way be pr streetsovided at to this 1way streets a lot of our work is for the city. And friendly setup. location.:and 177 back again. Your proposals seem converting these one ways to 2 ways No. Leave them asthe ifway they they were are. all written by bicycle would greatly impact both out work and The one way streets are working, so if Yes. I prefer a conventionalenthusiasts bike to the lane exclusion and sharrow of. Iothers. understand that as a result, nothe on-str floweet of parking traffic can be provided at thisit's location. not broken, why change? The few Yes. I prefer a sharrow in each lane. I understand that as a result, no on-street parking can be provided at this location. bikes are not worth the cost. If you want I commute downtown by bicycle often, I hope bicycle facilities will have to fix a problem, get an overpass over Q13. Do you have any other commenandts re havegardin learnedg the con vtoer suseion oone-wayf north and streets south-b ound transitionsstreets from aton eintersections-way to two-wa yto? allow bikes the railroad tracks. That is a problem that 128 answers to my advantage. Automobile traffic flow to continue on bike facilities (especially needs attention. Use the money for that Word Cloud Response List for over 20-yrs also seems ideal. I see no when turning) or have the option to move project. reason to change. to the sidewalk do
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Thank you for doing this important work. Reducing lanes in downtown is the Love the whole idea...long time in It is time to go back to having a vibrant craziest idea I have heard. I understand coming! downtown that was removed when all the the desire to make it safer for bicyclists, Q14. Would you like to see (east and wstreetsest-bou nwered) 2nd converted Avenue N a tond one3rd A ways.venue N convertedbut fro mthose one-w ofay us to twhowo-w adrivey traf finic? and out making these into 2 way traffic would 442 answers downtown likely agree that the one-ways help tremendously. I work downtown I cannot say which type of bike lane is are manageable and make for more and evey day i see someone driving the better for each location but I would like to traffic to move faster. When 4th or 6th are wrong way on a one way. Someone is see two way traffic in as many streets as blocked or have lane reduced, it become going to get hurt. possible obvious in all other road ways. It put pressure on similar direction streets. One How do the trains impact the back up of More bike facilities, the better. Would like ways in the cross streets allow for those traffic if these roads were 1 lane each to see a way for traffic lights to trigger turning right or left to make a choice and way? when it's just a bicyclist on the road. make the traffic move along when the There have been numerous times where lights are green. I believe that conversion to two-way I have to ride off the road and press the will greatly decrease drive time as button. Hi, I'm window cleaner with sky line drivers navigate from place to place. services we work down town doing boom That reduces frustration, time, gas, and I work downtown and have no problem work it would make it hard to keep traffic the potential, probability, for accident. with any traffic. I have been driving in flowing or any kind of work on those Confusion will decrease as motorists just Billings for over 50 years and the one roads for people using a boom or any don't know when or where their street is way system downtown moves traffic kind of work that would need to block the going to become 1 way, or turn into a 1 very efficiently through downtown. Any traffic! With the one way Road it allows way against them! alteration would simply make the traffic you to guide traffic safely! more congested and be a waste of taxpayer money. Not sure how traffic studies are done but I know what works.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 18 One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: East and West-Bound Survey Response Data
Figure 16. One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversion: East and West-Bound Survey Data
Visualization
Before After
Figure 17. Before (left) and After (right) images to offer a visualization of the potential conversions.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 19 Yes. I would prefer a center turn lane and sharrows.: 57
No. Leave them the way they are.: 171 Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with a sharrow, and front-in angled and parallel parking.:Example 67 Comments A full list of public comments is available in Appendix A.
Billings must continue to make bicycling Evidence shows that two-way streets Being able to safely ride a bicycle to and from work and retail shopping a are both safer and better for business. downtown is a top priority for me! priority. This will make the community One-ways encourage people to speed safer, healthier, and attractive to those through an area because they don't have Leave them as one ways with back in Yes.moving I would printoefer the two-way city. travel with to be attentive to oncoming traffic. It also conventional bike lanes and parallel angled parking and parallel parking and parking.: 147 disincentivizes both tourists and visitors with a cycle track or sharrow. I am supportive of any change that allows from other parts of town (I have many more useNo. Leaveof downtown them the way and they makes are. times heard "I get so turned around with We already have options for people the trafficYes. situation I would pr lessefer intimidating.two-way travel Iwith conventionalall the one-ways bike lanes anddowntown"). parallel parking. To build to drive through downtown. Let's give Yes. I would prefer two-way travel with a sharrow, and front-in angled and parallel parking. would love to see biking areas however, downtown businesses, we should make people a couple of roads to drive to Yes. I would prefer a center turn lane and sharrows. parking is more critical as this is always it easy to get around and bring back downtown. everyone's complaint. I also like turn two-ways. I once dated someone who, Q15. Do you have any other comments regarding the conversion of east and west-bound 2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N from one-way to two-way? lanes for traffic flow; however, this takes as a pedestrian, had been struck by a car It appears the plan is to serve bicyclists 68 answers away from usable space for parking or downtown barreling down a one-way. The more than traffic flow. When the bikers Word Cloud Response List bike lanes. I would encourage more conversion should also make it safer as start paying a road/use tax I'll consider arrows downtown for turning on busier drivers are more attentive. It's a win-win. supporting some of these ideas. roads if a center lane is not possible. d o
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These streets are perfect the way they Division Street would have a light on I like more parking options and feel Q16. Would you like to see Montanaare. Ave nIfu eyou bet wwanteen 3 to0t hadd Stre eaccommodationst and 35th Street mo dified teacho allow intersection. for more optio nThiss? would slow the it would boost the desire to open 441 answers for bicycles, great. Otherwise, Billings' traffic flow and cause delays during businesses downtown, and to visit those system of alternating one-way streets increased use ( i.e. weekday 8 a,m. and businesses. both north-south and east-west is, believe 5 p.m. and special events). Visitors from it or not, extremely efficient in moving out of Billings might be confused as to Include bike lanes in any new or revised traffic throughout downtown. Every city just 2 east and west bound streets being construction in town and county. Thanks should adopt a similar system; it makes two way. If you keep 4th and Montana One-way streets provide smooth efficient it very easy to get around. Please, keep one way there might be a possibility of traffic flows and are safer to navigate. things the way they are. There is no increased cars turning the wrong way Many of us have to pass through reason to spend all that money changing on the one way in error. The traffic flow downtown on our way to/from other everything around! into and out of the downtown area flows destinations. Please don't make it any easily as it is now. Would make the city easier to navigate as harder and slower than it already is. a visitor I like bike lanes...parking can be parallel I think a separated bike lane here would or front in depending on best use of be best, as it is a little terrifying biking existing space. Two way is preferable to all the one-ways. those streets, but hopefully the 2-way conversion and lanes would make it a Thank you for including the option for Strongly against two way traffic on these streets, concerned about introducing lot safer to bike and get to destinations more bike lanes to make Billings more downtown bike friendly! more congestion and additional traffic light patterns. Keep cyclists safe. Promote more bike use in Billings.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 20 Road Diet: Montana Avenue Survey Response Data
Figure 19. Road Diet: Montana Avenue Survey Data
Visualization
Before After
Figure 20. Before (left) and After (right) images to offer a visualization of the potential conversions.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 21 Yes. I would like back-in angled and parallel parking. I understand that as a result, no bike facility is included.: 63 Example Comments No. Leave it the way it is.: 160 A full list of public comments is available in Appendix A. Yes. I would like a cycle track.: 85 There is a great deal of traffic on Montana Cycle track is the best option. Need Only 2 lanes on Montana Avenue are Avenue. I think it would be taking a big more usable bike racks on Montana, needed! Bike Lanes would be a plus! step backward to take away lanes. I also wider sidewalks. Drivers speed badly on think traffic is too busy on Montana and Montana Ave, and the motorcycles are so This is one of the best roads in Billings 1st Ave. North to include bicycle lanes. disturbingly loud. for biking. It is also one of the scariest. More protection for bicyclists will also Only putYes, bike I would lanes like aon separated lesser bike traveled lane.: 138 Slow down traffic help protect pedestrians. roads. No bike lanes on Montana Ave, 1st No.Ave Leave N, it4th the Ave way N, it is.and 6 Ave N, but can Montana Ave. (at least btw N. 30th and N. I commute downtown by bicycle often, Yes, I wouldbe put like on a separated 2nd and bike 3rd lane. Ave N. 22nd) is one of the premier destinations and avoid Montana Ave. as unsafe. A bike Yes. I would like a cycle track. in Billings, and it should be accessible to lane would be safer, and a cycle track too Yes. I would like back-in angled and parallel parking. I understand that as a result, no bike facility is included. I think slowing down traffic on Montana people on bicycles. disruptive. Ave would be really beneficial after Q19. Do you have any other comments 27thregar dstreet.ing the Whilepropos ethered mod areifica tcrosswalksions to Monta na AvMontanaenue? from 27th to 30th is already tight Montana Avenue is the main street one 96 answers there, the lack of lights means vehicles for 3 lanes. People can't seem to park in uses to going east through downtown. Word Cloud Response List often aren't stopping for pedestrians in front of the pawn shop and the turn in to Bikes do not belong on such heavily this area. I think bike lanes and angled Western Security banks lot is tight. traveled streets as Montana & First parking would help a lot with that. Avenue North. Put bike lanes on safer,
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I do not like the idea of reducing capacity I own McCormick Cafe and Computers A road diet on Montana between 30th of arterial streets. I'd rather see sharrows Unlimited. We have 180 employees. all and 18th makes a lot of sense. Anything on 2nd ave n and or 3rd ave n than to drive cars that park in our lots. Only 2-3 to slow/reduce traffic especially west of reduce capacity on arterial streets bikes in the summer. The most important 27th would be welcomed. Also, a left-turn Q20. Would you like to see 6th Avenue between 10th Street and Main Street modified to allow for more options? thing is to slow traffic down and provide light from Southbound 27th onto Montana 446 answers Excessive traffic speed on Montana is street parking for our customers. Our is necessary (and permit motorists to turn a major reason I won't visit businesses customers all drive cars. No bikes. left onto Montana when 27th is blocked there. by a train!!!). The bottleneck west of i again like bike lanes but I am still 26th is dangerous, due to the number Please, also make sure there is bike concerned about the loss of parking and of lanes, speed of traffic and all the signals. Bicycling and two-way streets is also people on Montana travel VERY fast! ridiculous parallel parking. Get rid of it! the key to making downtown great again! I would be very careful with traffic flow Make it back-in angled parking. Parallel with bikes and speed of traffic. is extremely inefficient and dangerous Montana Avenue is the designated down there, on both sides of the street. truck route through downtown Billings. Montana Avenue is in desperate need It is also very heavily traveled by of traffic calming and pedestrian I don't believe any kind of bike lane or regular vehicles as well. It is a regular protections. Drivers fly through this part cycle track is necessary on Montana occurrence to see Montana backed of town and it's very scary. I think the Avenue. Take it down to 2 lanes, allow for up half way between blocks at the stop better protected the bike lane, the better. angled parking. lights. Please do NOT cause more I like more parking options and feel congestion by removing a traffic lane! i understand that bikers need somewhere it would boost the desire to open Add a bike lane to a lesser traveled to ride but taking lanes away from the businesses downtown, and to visit those street. cars is NOT a good solution. businesses.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 22 Road Diet: 6th Avenue North Survey Response Data
Figure 22. Road Diet: 6th Avenue North Survey Data
Visualization
Before After Figure 23. Before (left) and After (right) images to offer a visualization of the potential conversions.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 23 Example Comments A full list of public comments is available in Appendix A.
Making these roadways narrower Make 3rd ave N a shared street instead of i understand that bikers need somewhere or having less lanes will continue to the arterial to ride but taking lanes away from the cause bottlenecks and other issues for cars is NOT a good solution. commuters! Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk and bike lanes are only useful 6 months 6th ave has just enough lanes for passing "There is no safe bike connection from of the year in MT. slower traffic and getting back from the the heights to downtown. I would like to Heights quickly and efficiently. Definitely see a protected bike option. The traffic on 6th avenue and 1st avenue don't modify! The smaller streets Concerned about the cost listed in the is already too congested and to reduce downtown can have the bicycle lanes. detailed views for N13 to N10" the number of lanes would exacerbate the situation. Even the current traffic Currently the east end of 6th Ave North The flow of traffic from the heights into pattern has severe issues, There is is a race track. A safe "multi-use path" downtown can already be burdensome. currently no dedicated lane to go to the would be welcome By removing a lane, this will restrict the Lockwood area. So if there is a traffic flow of traffic even more so. issue in the heights, the traffic backup No bike/multi-use paths on major roads. includes both the heights and Lockwood Only put on non-arterial roads. I think pedestrian and bicycle access traffic. from alkali creek area to this area of town would be very beneficial Figure 24. Word r m e t r o p t i n s l a n e s e s i d n t a l r o a d s s a f
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b i l n g s various alternatives, t h track w n people streets heights other words illustrate pedestrian system unique priorities and perspectives expressed by the public. Q23. Would you like to see 13th Street between 4th Avenue N and 6th Avenue N modified to allow for more options? 443 answers The intersection where main meets We need a bike lane and a better path As a heights resident who needs to get 6th N needs to be revamped. When for pedestrians with trees. The new downtown in the high volume traffic, traveling down main and wanting to go streetscape in the EBURD has no street removing lanes would be even more
onto 6th you haveYes. I wouldto transition like sharrows with over a center to trees - huge mistake. Bring people to the difficult than it already is. the far right lane.turn That lane and then parking.: open 78 up into Metra from downtown and North Park. another lane just past Applebees. This is The improvements on 6th need to reach Again, 6th Ave. N. is the major route for
a huge bottleneck. Why allow the middle further west than justNo. 13th Leave itSt. the way it is.: 166 traffic heading west from main. And it is lane on main st also have the option busy. Please don't clobber it up and make of transitioning onto 6th? It would just a multi-use path would cleanly align with it slower than it is. Again, put bike lanes require a slight modification to the main the existing path dropping down to 6th on safer streets, not major thoroughfares. and 6th intersection. Just change up the Avenue from Swords Park Nobody wants an accident with a bike. paint. Traffic would flow so much better. I would like these options to be informed There are already long wait times for by the 5th Avenue North Corridor Study. After the Inner Belt Loop is completed, people heading west from the heights, If there ends up being a multi-use path my vote would beYes. I towould have like conventional protected bike lanes bike don't add to the problems and parallel parking.: 199 through that corridor, I don't see the need lanes. Until the Inner Belt Loop project for a multiuse path on 6th because 5th is completed,No. Leave it trafficthe way it flow is. should not be This is mostlyYes. I would an industriallike conventional area bike lanes with and parallel parking. Yes. I would like sharrows with a center turn lane and parking. Avenue would be safer. The speed of restricted from the Heights. sufficient parking and little congestion in traffic on 6th is concerning, as well as the Q24. Would you like to see 13th Street between 1st Avenue N and 4th Avenue N modified to allow for moreits op ticurrentons? state. 432 answers falling rocks from the Rims. I feel bike lanes should be directed to the lesser vehicle traveled streets. Signage Dangerous connection between 6th Again, speeding is a major problem is important to guide bicyclists to safe, and the heights. I hope we can have a on this road :/ The lack of traffic lights designated routes. I believe it is a safer protected separated path. encourages people to come racing down option for vehicles and bicycles to not 6th. I would feel safest on a multi-use purposefully be combined on a heavy path, off the road. vehicle-traveled street.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 24 Road Diet: 13th Street Survey Response Data
Figure 25. Road Diet: 13th Street Survey Data
Visualization
Before After
Figure 26. Before (left) and After (right) images to offer a visualization of the potential conversions.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 25 Example Comments A full list of public comments is available in Appendix A.
Quit trying to appease the very minimal This comment is regarding the question my shop is at 212 n 13th. I see the traffic bicycle traffic and use your brain/talent to on my use of Bike lanes below: I ride my there. the street there is very busy during accommodate vehicle congestion. bike very frequently, but hardly ever use rush hours. Do not take away options for a bike lane due to their lack of existence. cars just to make room for bikes. Also Is there any way to have both a center While Lewis has a sharrow, cars pass do not take away our street parking, as turn lane as well as conventional bike fast and close and I take Clark because I many of the businesses here do not have lanes? feel safer. Downtown is a littleNo. betterLeave it the withway it is.: 186 parking lots so there is no other option the one-ways because I feel like I can for us. It would be nice to know the traffic and take a whole lane and am more visible bicycle volumesYes. I would like so protected a better bike lane.: vote246 can be doing so. I don't like conventional bike Whatever you do on 13th please consider placed. Not sure how many bikes use lanes that skirt parallel parking because I visibility for people coming from 2nd and this corridor. know individuals who have had car doors 3rd onto or across 13th. The cars/trucks opened into the bike lanes suddenly that are parallel parked on 13th make This is mostly an industrial area with resulting in a bike crash. visibility up and down 13th a nightmare when trying to pull out from 2nd or 3rd. sufficient parking and little congestionNo. Leave itin the way it is. Yes. I would like protected bike lane. its current state. If anything I would do There aren't enough cyclists in the entire Q25. Do you somethinghave any other com withments rtheegard inunderpass.g the proposed modifications to 13th Street? county to justify the expense. 149 answers Word Cloud Response List
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street r i m montana lewis streets other words illustrate b i k north alderson trail o c broadway safer please unique priorities and e s along increase k better money perspectives expressed by the public. Q26. Would you like to see Broadway Avenue closed seasonally between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue N? 441 "I'veanswe rslived in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk I am not really a traffic expert so don't and Billings over the past 10 years. I and bike lanes are only useful 6 months know the advantages of these proposals. grew up in Laurel. of the year in MT. The reason for these changes should be Billings has a fantastic roads system thoroughly thought threw. I do believe we right now. The one ways allow for easy Whatever is best for the development of need to provide for bike traffic to have a commutes and access to downtown. the BIRD area. Currently, not sure how safe area to get through the downtown They also prevent people from taking many people would use a bike lane, but area. There is more and more bike traffic left turns across multiple traffic lanes would make sense if more people are and safety is an issue. As such I chose the at intersections (which creates a lot of drawn there due to future development. option with the bike lanes. I am not sure traffic on two way streets). Other Montana why this option requires 2 way traffic to be towns are plagued with traffic issues No bike lanes or sharrows!! Very included as it seems it could be included because they lack one ways, despite expensive option for how few people it in the one way streets as well. having a fraction of Billings's population. benefits (definitely not me) I would like to be sure changes reduce Bike lanes are not a bad idea if they are A bike lane might be nice if it connects (at least don't increase) traffic to the feasible. I ride my bike to work and don't residential streets from Division to 1st find much of an issue (I take 2nd street Safety, safety, and more safety. This & 2nd. There has been, at times, in the to my office on 27th St N). But please, would increase cyclist and pedestrian past a strong incentive to cut through the please, do not make a constant traffic safety, as well as linking well-used routes residential streets to avoid traffic lights jam in downtown Billings by turning to trails, downtown, and the Heights. and congested traffic on arterial streets, efficient one ways into two ways." particularly the light on Division and through the MDT 1st avenue project, the Broadwater. It seems the conversion to 13th is an important bicycle route 13th/1st intersection is being designed to one way streets along with other changes connector between downtown and the focus on moving vehicle traffic. There is reduced that significantly. It would be very heights. We need to make is safer. no demand for pedestrian/bicycle traffic upsetting if the proposed changes again nor do I anticipated this changing in the produced increased traffic along with near future. safety issues on the residential streets.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 26 Seasonal Road Closure: Broadway Avenue Survey Response Data
Figure 28. Seasonal Road Closure: Broadway Avenue Survey Data
Visualization
Before After
Figure 29. Before (left) and After (right) images to offer a visualization of the potential conversions.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 27 Example Comments A full list of public comments is available in Appendix A.
Define Seasonal... are you talking about Billiings natives just don't care enough I just dislike seasonal closures in the for the entire summer - no, leave it for that to work. They don't wantNo. I like to it thedetour way it is.: 160 same way that people cut off sidewalk the way it is. Are you talking about for or lose parking spots. Are you going to area for their establishments during the outdoor venues to allow for street fairs close your masters' banks and stores? summer. By the time you get used to the and concerts once in a while? Absolutely. status, it changes. We already have challenges with traffic This is the best idea in the entire survey. moving through the downtown. I support That area would make a phenomenal Broadway works good. Two way traffic
theYes. I Downtownlike the idea of seasonal businesses closure.: 281 wanting to walking district. It's already the heart of and parking. create additional outdoor space and downtown, and it would draw people venues, but don't create an environment to downtown to just be in that space. Extend seasonal closure from 1st all the that prevents people from wanting to Of course, they would spread out way to 3rd come downtown from there, but it would be the central No. I like it the way it is. gatheringYes. I like place. the idea I'veof seasonal been closur sayinge. Billings might be ok if no money is spent to As a business owner, I think it is unfair to reconstruct intersection. try it for one year Q27. Do you have any other comments regarding the proposed modifications to Broadway Aveshouldnue? do this for years (mostly to 106 answers the businesses on that block to close it myself). Great idea! and see what citizens feel. was it well Word Cloud toRe straffic.ponse Lis tSpecial events like the Farmer's used. how does traffic flow. dont spend Market are already in place and enough. Do whatever can be done to alleviate more money on something like the waste vehicle traffic. of skypoint. c t r Figure 30. Word y a l b e r s p a c e m i g h t t h i n k l o s e d e a r
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u c t i o n various alternatives, broadway s k people other words illustrate place e s outdoor since pedestrian permanent unique priorities and y perspectives expressed by the public. Q28. Please rank the six proposed alternatives in order of your preference (highest priority at the top, down to your lowest priority). 231 answers the idea deserves a chance. If no support Prefer permanent closure This is a neat idea. I really enjoy this area after a few years then discontinue. of downtown and spend time there nearly Yes, yes, YES!! every day. Close it all year round. Make it a That is GREAT! We've said this for years pedestrian plaza with bike parking, bike If you close it you need to make all at the Fire Dept. lane, planters, trees, etc. streets two ways. Downtown is hard to navigate as is and N broadway is a major Closing Broadway as we do now is Currently it is frequently closed for route for fire trucks. Or atleast make the sufficient, I don't think a seasonal closing existing functions, then it is open for N/S streets two ways . convenient traffic flow when there are is necessary or should be done. not functions. Why close it permanently Complicates traffic congestion downtown even on a seasonal basis? This makes since a vehicle could not use these I did not move any items below because no sense and will cause confusion for streets when it is closed I do not care for any of the alternatives. drivers In all the years I have lived here it seems We have Doc Harper's on Broadway that these streets have been changed Yes, close Broadway for summer to with the parklet. People say all the time many times. I don't see any reason for allow for the restaurants to have patio they would to see street closed and how these changes. seating with decorative plants and much they enjoy the parklet. hanging Edison lights across the street The proposal should encompass more to enhance the summer downtown social streets from Montana Ave to 4th Ave This is an excellent idea! atmosphere. as the businesses up from Sky Point are always treated poorly and forgotten This would encourage folks to come Do we not close certain areas for public about a majority of the time due to downtown during the seasonal events anyway? I'm not sure what you overexposure of the listed area. mean by seasonally.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 28 Other Survey Content Alternative Prioritization Survey participants were asked to rank the alternatives in order of priority (1 being highest priority, 6 being lowest priority). The following chart illustrates the alternatives and their respective rankings.
Figure 31. Alternative Prioritization Survey Data
Facility Use While engaging with the public on transportation topics, we inquired about their use of city-owned parking garages and bike lanes. The following illustrates the feedback provided:
Figure 32. Facility Use Survey Data
Budget-based Alternative Prioritization A secondary engagement tool on the online platform invited participants to rank the alternatives, while including the construction costs associated with each option. The following lists the number of selections each alternative received:
Votes Per Alternative Road Diet: 6th Avenue N 27 Road Diet: N. 13th Street 23 Seasonal Closure: Broadway Avenue 21 Road Diet: Montana Avenue 20 One-Way to Two-Way Conversion (E-W) 19 One-Way to Two-Way Conversion (N-S) 6 Figure 33. Alternative Prioritization
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 29 Idea Wall Comments An "Idea Wall" was included in the survey platform as a place to collect general thoughts, ideas, and concerns. The following is the unedited content collected from the public:
Figure 34. Word Cloud illustrating recurring themes in the comments related to this alternative. Increased frequency of a particular word is indicated by larger type.
Idea Wall Comments Legend: Comment Idea & Suggestion Safety Concern My Needs
The LIFTT committee would like to express their preference for "talking" signals (rather than clicking), bulb-outs, and for the safety provided by back-in parking. The appreciate any effort that slows traffic. Handicap-access vehicles are difficult to park in downtown. They also appreciate multi-use paths, as opposed to bike lanes, because they're more friendly for handicapped users. If the two way conversion proceeds perhaps consideration should be given to using 4-stops as opposed to expensive traffic signals. Many intersections have very low volumes of traffic. The "budget" portion of this survey is not easily understandable Please hear this: If we want to do one single project to decrease traffic downtown we need an on/off ramp for I-90 at Main Street! Let's keep the one ways. The reason to add a protected bike lane on 6th Ave. N. is because it is currently daunting to get between the Heights and Downtown. Everyone should have the right to be able to safely use the public right of way to get around town, regardless of whether by vehicle, bike, or foot. Learn to operate within a budget and stay out of my pocket Downtown could use more off-street parking. Many people do not want to use the parking garages, especially when it is dark. Off- street parking provides safer, more attractive, and a more cost effective alternative. If the two way conversion proceeds perhaps consideration should be given to using roundabouts as opposed to expensive traffic signals. Many intersections have very low volumes of traffic. I think it is crazy to add a bike lane on 6th Ave with the amount of traffic.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 30 Converting 2nd and 3rd Avenues to two way could also improve bike access from the west end if the crossings on Division were improved. Rather than having bikes use Lewis Ave. between 8th St. West and Division, bikes could turn south at 9th St. west to Clark or Yellowstone and follow those streets to Division. The traffic lights on Division could be improved by adding signal buttons that bicyclists could reach without having to get up on the sidewalk. I received your proposal for the change of one-way streets in Billings to two-way streets - that's good, as I've always felt that downtown Billings is really not large enough that we would need one-way streets anyway. I've lived here all my life and have seen this scenario play itself over and over regarding one-way streets. I appreciate the info as it doesn't appear to affect my residence in any way. Hts resident: Disapprove of any reduction/restriction of the flow of traffic into or out of the Heights for a bike lane. City should not impede a constantly growing flow Hts & E. Yel. cnty residents by restricting lanes on thoroughfares for usage by small % of cyclists. HTS congestion is horrible on a good day, let alone when there is a wreck or a TORNADO! Side streets are available for bike traffic. I currently bike downtown for work every day that there isn't ice on the ground, and the lack of bike routes or lanes has always seemed like a big safety issue to me, that I would bet keeps other would-be bikers from doing that themselves. Protected bike lanes and slower streets with two way traffic would go a long way to easing that issue. I think it should also take a good look at how those connect to existing bike infrastructure (Lewis, N 30th) to eliminate gaps. I love that you are asking about this. I support walkability and drawing people into our city center. That's where the real character of a town is and where we can draw residents & tourists alike. I love increased protection for bicycles. I'd ride my bike more, but the busy streets just don't feel safe. As long as I've got a back road, I'm good. BUT. the bottleneck from 6th Ave/Main up to the Heights can get SO backed up. I'd not want to impede the roadway there to make room for bikes. Create protected bike lanes between sidewalk and parking not between parking and moving cars. Simple change -- huge safety difference. Protected lanes are always better than 'sharrows'. www.strongtowns.org/journal/2016/11/9/what-are-sharrows- worth?rq=bike%20lanes Bikes don't pay for the roads; they should pay for license plates too. Leave things the way they are. I'm concerned about more congestion and more pollution from cars idling. I'm concerned about a stoplight being added at the corner of Division and 2nd Avenue N to accommodate the conversion to two-way. The traffic is so heavy along Division at peak times and following events, that it’ll cause a problem if a signal is added there. Extend bike lane from Lewis to 4th into downtown safely. I used to work downtown and parked in the garages. Now I am retired and I only go downtown for particular businesses and the Clinic. Your survey tells me what you want to change but not why. I maintain that one-way streets are the most efficient and safe streets to navigate. So much gas is wasted at every stop light and you know it or we would not have all these round-abouts that have been built. You want downtown to be a destination and not a drive-through. Don't make it miserable. 6th Ave and Montana Ave seem to be scary places to put anything but a protected bike lane. Traffic does not follow the posted speed limits and tends to be like drag strips. I would request seasonal blocking off of streets from traffic at Skypoint by one block in each direction. To reduce the noise around the Point would be nice. DAMN Motorcycles/Harleys! The problem with this idea lies in how do we maintain access to the Parking Garage on 2nd Ave tween 28th and 27th.But it would be nice to have a quiet pedestrian area to enjoy the businesses in that Skypoint area, Thanks. Build a way to cross the railroad tracks for vehicles. Underpass or overpass or even move the railroad tracks elsewhere but do something. A city the size of Billings shouldn't have it the way it is. You need to build overpasses on the RR track crossing & get rid of those train whistles! And help more traffic along. Maybe you could have someone (or machine) divert traffic to the overpasses on 23rd and 13th but I think you need overpasses on 27th, 28th, and 29th St and railroad tracks. I suggest closing part of Broadway between the Alberta Bair theater and U. S. Bank. I would not close the entire block, but from the street on the south up to the entrance to the U. S. Bank parking lot. This would make the area safer for pedestrians and would create a nice public plaza with grass and trees. I prefer parallel parking to angled (both pull in or back in). With a small car in a town full of large trucks, it can be almost impossible to see enough to pull in or out of them. Save our tax dollars and don't do any of this crap. Old habits die hard....assure pedestrians look both ways somehow...just takes one long timer to be on autopilot....like Americans crossing in London etc. "Good evening. The survey wouldn't open for me but I'm somewhat familiar with the study. I don't think we are moving in a positive direction when we are looking at downtown getting rid of so many parking spaces for a bike lane and at such a high cost. Finding parking is already an issue downtown for many people. Also, people traveling by bike-generally speaking, are not going to be stopping to shop and/or dine downtown the same as people who are traveling by car. (Continued: 1 of 3)"
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 31 "If I'm shopping for clothes or meeting a friend for lunch, I'm not riding my bike from the heights or the west end to do it. I'm going to drive. The bike lane planning does not benefit downtown business nor contribute to a more vibrant downtown the way I think other things could. I believe what downtown needs is slower traffic, safer pedestrian crossings, and better snow removal during the winter months. (Continued: 2 of 3)" "We all want a vibrant downtown but we will never have that when people continue to drive 60 mph down our streets here; when we don't feel safe crossing the street at the marked crosswalks because it's a crapshoot if vehicles will stop; and when snow piles up on downtown off-street parking and curbs from the snow plows and leaves potential downtown visitors without parking options in the winter. We need to fix what we can fix before we put on fancy shoes anyway. Thanks for listening. (3 of 3)" Keep One Ways! KEEP ONE Ways!!! Why waste any money at this time in our country we do not need to add to the city's debts! I guess they are changing it back the way it was!! Stop putting in round abouts people don't like them and older people don't understand what to do. Pedestrians can use sidewalks. Keep one ways. Streets too narrow for bike paths. Leave the streets alone! Hell, people can barely use the one ways as they are. Mass confusion if they were changed to two way. Do not agree with changing one way streets. Streets are narrow with a bike lane it would be crowded. Do not waste money put to better use. I am not a fan of one way streets. They are particularly troublesome for people not familiar with Billings. I would love to see them all go to two traffic where feasible. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Montana Ave should be changed back a two-way. It's Billings' real main street. Bozeman and Missoula's main streets are much more comfortable and economically productive. Downtown streets should be destinations where people want to linger and spend money, not a traffic through-put mechanisms. Montana Ave is on the defense network, but making it comfortable for window shopping is a worthwhile goal. Why change anything???? If you want to change something then change the long, long long long traffic lines at 29th and king near Walmart and Goodwill, and long long long long lines down 32nd and king!!! Good grief during Christmas I sat at those lights through 3 THREE lights!! "If the purpose is to get the Billings population more active, then reserved bicycle tracks would need to be designed so that there is little to no conflict with vehicle traffic. I would suggest building a main track East-West that splits in the Heights and Lockwood directions. Then cross bicycle tracks or just bicycle lanes running North-South, can maybe use side streets that have less traffic. The Shiloh trail is well done. Need similar ones central and to the east." "The fire department prefers two-way streets for improved access. Their biggest concern is road width; fire code requires 20 feet of drivable roadway, but even that's tight - when the ladder is up and supports are out, the vehicle is 19 wide. Bike lanes without curb or physical separation allow for extended space for fire trucks, when needed.
Regarding seasonal closure, pop-up bollards tend to freeze up, so aren't good in the wintertime. Flip-up traffic control is preferred." "Start over and get a true cross-section of the public, not a cross-section of bike riders. This survey is so slanted it could be used as training for NRA questionnaires. None of the results should in any way be perceived to be valid.
Once again, you ask me to agree to terms and conditions that are no where to be found in the link." Taking bike and pedestrian counts on downtown streets is useful to an extent. If studies find that there are very few or no cyclists or pedestrians on certain streets, and conclude that facilities are therefore not necessary. We'll just make that condition permanent. It's like saying there are no cyclists, nor shall there ever be. Infrastructure is incentive. I think our streets downtown are fine; I would much rather see these funds spent on public safety - our police & fire departments. We have a huge homeless problem, the crime rate is alarming because heroin & meth use has risen drastically. Our cops & fire are so important to the safety of our families & our community, we can't grow our city if it's a dangerous place to live. I grew up here, but now it is scary to raise a child in Billings. I like that these changes are fiscally responsible and they support the core part of the city which has the highest per acre return for the city budget. Additionally, activating these streets with bikers and pedestrians supports law enforcement without budget increases by enhancing the 'eyes on the street' and community support. These (in addition to education) are the investments Billings needs to remain financially sustainable in the future.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 32 If you are going to create bike lanes, bicyclists have to get a registered plate like the rest(pay renewals), obey ALL laws as a car, wear protective gear and get ticketed for their illegal behaviors!! Do not be like Bozeman where the bicyclists own the road, cut through traffic, do not follow traffic signs, never get ticketed or charged for their actions. I do not want any bike lanes because they always abuse the rules. I would only agree to do SEPARATE bike lanes away from the road with rules. "I would also LOVE to see FREE PARKING downtown! Many towns don't charge for downtown parking and we have plenty of it to go around - businesses would do much better downtown if people could access them easily and affordably. There are plenty of garages for those of us who work downtown and the streets should be open to clients to park for free.
Thank you all for looking at improvements! This is exciting." With the building front setback currently in place, there is no way to widen the streets in the downtown traffic zones. So, your working with a finite and limited amount of street width. To switch to two traffic compounded by adding bike lanes you would have to eliminate all on street parking along these routes, including near and around the court house and police department buildings. There may not be enough downtown off street parking to compensate for the displacement of on street parking. Do not add to the congestion of Montana Avenue, which is the designated State route for trucks, by removing a traffic lane. This seems very counter-productive to me. Designated bike lanes can be added to the lesser vehicle-traveled streets of 2nd and 3rd Avenues. Bicyclists will still be able to travel through downtown on a safer route for both them and motorists. "For the person who wasn't able to locate them:
Terms & Conditions By using the Social Pinpoint Mapping Tool you are taken to have accepted these Terms and Conditions set out below.
This survey is being administered by DOWL on behalf of the Billings-Yellowstone County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Any feedback you provide on this platform will be shared anonymously with the public in the form of a final project report. Your email address will not be shared with any outside entities." I am a daily bike commuter with a preference for taking Montana Ave. As is this route is workable and fast, but if I were to crash I have no defense against getting run over. A dedicated bike lane there would really increase my commutes safety factor, and make that route a possibility when winter rolls in. "I have NEVER been a fan of going into downtown Billings (for at least the last 40+ years!!). Precisely because of the one-way streets. (We lived in Lewistown 30+ years, North Dakota 6 years, then back to Billings in 2014.) In fact, I have avoided the downtown area at all times because of the confusing array of one-way streets.
The idea to make some of the streets two-way is absolutely the best idea Billings has had for awhile!!" We have a bottleneck situation all the way from the Heights through downtown. The city keeps narrowing the streets with those lovely planters, changing parking, blocking streets off, allowing businesses to make cafes into the streets and further blocking traffic flows. There is no plan to improve the amount of traffic from East to West, only more restriction. 1st Avenue South is a problem; traffic backs up at Family Service, King's Hat, and the grain terminals. There should be a double land for the King's Hat drive-through. In working through the options I am real concerned about the parking along those streets being considered for two ways versus one way. The diagonal parking presents a real safety hazard in my opinion, in that, when backing out onto one way or two way traffic the line of sight is very poor and could increase the likely hood of an accident. Although I like the backing in (butt first option for parking better) I am still a bit concerned with the process of securing a spot without disrupting flow. "Hello And YES I do own an Office Building on N32nd St. I am adamantly against this 2 way street traffic study, also the neighboring owners express the same, WHY! We have no understanding why anyone would want to congest an already limited access downtown situation? We do multiple calls and deliveries in the downtown area and if we cannot find a Commercial Permit parking, there is a slim possibility we will, without several trips around the block. Do you not see merchants moving out of the Dow" The common issue with downtown Billings it's hard to grow if you open a new business downtown for walking traffic. I believe on good way to remedy this issue would to create a zone board walk or retail a entertainment on the first floor of every building. Code for an open to the street finish on the buildings obviously grandfathered businesses or city funds could help this. Along with event planning. More feasible would just be a walk similar to downtown Fort Collins and Las Vegas. Fix the intersection of Division, 32nd, and 6th Ave (Grand). I've lived in this city all my life (74 years, exactly). I've seen you guys change one-way streets to two-ways; I've seen you change two-ways back to one-ways and as far as I'm concerned, the way they are now is fine. Instead of going to the expense of the expense of changing them back to two-ways and then ten years from now you change them back to one-ways. Figure 35. Idea Wall Comments
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 33 APPENDIX A: Public Comment Log Public Comment Log: One-Way to Two-Way Conversion - North and South-bound Streets The following is the unedited content collected from the public (presented alphabetically):
Comments "33-34-35 to much impact on division. Nothing that introduces new traffic patterns should be added unless data shows it would reduce division traffic. 31-29-26 I don't see the benefit of two way traffic in these streets. I would support a protected one-way bike lane. 30-32 Again I don't see the benefit. I would support a protected bike lane on 30. I would NOT support any bike lane on 32 between 6th and 4th, traffic dangerous for bikes, to much focus on switching lanes and getting onto 4th." A bike lane is definitely needed on 29th Street, as it is the primary north-south bicycle artery that crosses the tracks and connects to the South Side, not to mention the hospitals up north. a sharrow would be great on N. 28th/broadway to remind drivers A two lane traffic flow with parking would be a big benefit towards downtown businesses. The lower traffic speed promotes pedestrian safety and encourages people to walk by businesses more. As a firefighters that drives at the downtown fire station, I prefer (both in my personal vehicle and the fire truck) as one way streets. Broadway as a two way street is very congested and feels unsafe. I would love to see it converted to a one way too. The one way streets provide a better flow to me. I see many people on Broadway making an illegal U-turn to get a parking space, sometimes having to try it 2 or 3 times. This is unsafe and frustrating. As long as it will improve traffic flow, I am for the conversions Automobiles are the heavier component of traffic in each cases. Why : 1) Spend MY tax money on workers and materials? 2) Interrupt flow of traffic for years with construction? 3) Ask for traffic accidents by reducing lane sizes and allowing bicycles which are fast and hard to see on high traffic streets? Be consistent with similar roadways. Bicyclist safety should be number one priority Changes like these will cause increased accidents and head-on collisions. Stick with the original plan. Changing to two lane streets needs to work with streets that stay one way Confusion was created decades ago when they converted from two into one way streets. That has passed. They are fine the way they are. As someone who regularly bikes through downtown I feel SAFER with the one way side streets rather than worrying about potential traffic on both sides of the street. Do not do partial conversions - only do complete segments. Evidence shows that two-way streets are both safer and better for business. One-ways encourage people to speed through an area because they don't have to be attentive to oncoming traffic. It also disincentivizes both tourists and visitors from other parts of town (I have many times heard "I get so turned around with all the one-ways downtown"). To build downtown businesses, we should make it easy to get around and bring back two-ways. I once dated someone who, as a pedestrian, had been struck by a car downtown barreling down a one-way. The conversion should also make it safer as drivers are more attentive. It's a win-win. Festival street asap For a city that can't afford ample police / fire protection, can't afford to keep our city pools and senior centers open, why are we spending money on roads that don't need to change! Generally opposed at these costs. Want more bike lanes added though. Hi, im window cleaner with sky line services we work down town doing boom work it would make it hard to keep traffic flowing or any kind of work on those roads for people using a boom or any kind of work that would need to block the traffic! With the one way Road it allows you to guide traffic safely! How do the trains impact the back up of traffic if these roads were 1 lane each way? I am not really a traffic expert so don't know the advantages of all these proposals. The reason for these changes should be thoroughly thought threw. I do believe we need to provide for bike traffic to have a safe area to get through the downtown area. There is more and more bike traffic and safety is an issue. I am supportive of any change that allows more use of downtown and makes the traffic situation less intimidating. I would love to see biking areas however, parking is more critical as this is always everyone's complaint. I appreciate any efforts to slow traffic down and encourage more pedestrians. I believe that conversion to two-way will greatly decrease drive time as drivers navigate from place to place. That reduces frustration, time, gas, and the potential, probability, for accident. Confusion will decrease as motorists just don't know when or where their street is going to become 1 way, or turn into a 1 way against them!
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 35 I cannot say which type of bike lane is better for each location but I would like to see two way traffic in as many streets as possible I commute downtown by bicycle often, and have learned to use one-way streets to my advantage. Automobile traffic flow for over 20-yrs also seems ideal. I see no reason to change. I do quite a lot of driving in the downtown area and feel like the one way give me better access to the businesses I'm frequenting. Broadway is difficult to find parking on and often feels more dangerous to me with the parallel and diagonal parking plus foot traffic and the occasional cars that flip around in the middle of the street to take parking spots on the other side. I don't drive very much - I'm a biker - so please don't take my answers very seriously for this part of the survey as I am not able to provide much insight. I don't like that I am forced to pick all these nonsense bike options. Just give us two way streets with parallel parking. I find one-way streets to be much more bike-friendly. I hope bicycle facilities wil have transitions at intersections to allow bikes to continue on bike facilities (especially when turning) or have the option to move to the sidewalk I like one-way streets because they are a safe and efficient way to traverse downtown without stopping for stop lights at every intersection. That is assuming every one would stop for a red light, a traffic law that is dangerously flouted all over town. I see too many going the wrong way on one way streets, I support all of the one way to two way conversions. I really don't care how the parking is changed but I had to choose one option. I.e angled and parallel or parallel only. I think that drivers are accustomed to the way they are, and changing them would create more confusion than necessary. In addition, I am very concerned that bike trails, especially on Montana and 1st Ave. N. will take away parking and create snarls in traffic. I think the NB/SB one-way street connections make sense through out downtown to be converted to two-way traffic leaving the major EB/WB corridors one-way traffic. Seeing the NB/SB routes would be more-so connectors, sharrows seem like the appropriate bike implementation method I usually bike to work and think these would be really beneficial to that experience. Not having any slower, two way streets or bike lanes in the downtown area is a major issue for that. I work downtown and have no problem with any traffic. I have been driving in Billings for over 50 years and the one way system downtown moves traffic very efficiently through downtown. Any alteration would simply make the traffic more congested and be a waste of taxpayer money. Not sure how traffic studies are done but I know what works. I would love to see some downtown roads with transit stops built in (thinking a curb cutout) which doesn't stop traffic while busses are loading and unloading. Also - bike lanes are essential in any discussion moving forward. I would rather see these funds go to much more needed projects. With more lanes available, I see no problems with sharing the roads with bicycles. If you want to encourage bike lanes, you shouldn't go to two-way traffic - just accidents waiting to happen. I'm assuming protected bike lane and conventional bike lane are the same since there isn't a description of the protected bike lane in the definition of terms and the thumbnails are too small to read. I don't think any change that eliminates downtown parking should be an option. I'm excited by the prospect of two-way streets to help provide a safer pedestrian and cycling experience downtown. I'm not studied enough on what would actually be safer, but given many of these options don't include a biking option, I'd rather keep them one way. I tend to use the right lane like a sharrowed lane since cars have a full lane going to same way in which they can go around me. Include bike lanes in any new or revised construction in town and county. Thanks It appears the plan is to serve bicyclists more than traffic flow. When the bikers start paying a road/use tax I'll consider supporting some of these ideas. it is a waste of money to "create" lanes for bikers It is fine the way it is, don't waste taxpayer money on this! It seems rare to see bike traffic in the downtown area, probably more as a function of lack of residence downtown, not sure why we need to accommodate that. It seems that every 10 to 20 years we go from 2 way streets to 1way streets and back again. Your proposals seem as if they were all written by bicycle enthusiasts to the exclusion of others.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 36 It seems that the benefits of this change may be minimal, but the drawbacks are 1) costs for signage, traffic light modifications, painting, etc. 2) increased safety hazard during the period of adjustment; 3) increase I safety hazard for pedestrians, 4) potential loss of parking. It seems very important to have a comprehensive plan for all of downtown. "It was difficult to see the pictures you posted. What were the reasons these streets were made one way to begin with.No doubt for better flow of traffic. Has Billings changed that much that the status quo needs to be changed? Would love 25th to be 2 way without a sharrow if possible. This whole thing seems like a waste of money that could be used for better things like increasing Salaries for our WONDERFUL Billings PD!" It would be nice to know the traffic and bicycle volumes so a better vote can be placed. Not sure how many bikes use these streets. It's one thing if they ate converted to allow for more traffic flow. It's ridiculous to put in bike lanes. Bike lanes are all over town and I've yet to see anybody use them. Oh, I see bikes riding around town alright. But they use the street or the sidewalk, not the bike lane. "I've lived in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, and Billings over the past 10 years. I grew up in Laurel. Billings has a fantastic roads system right now. The one ways allow for easy commutes and access to downtown. They also prevent people from taking left turns across multiple traffic lanes at intersections (which creates a lot of traffic on two way streets). Other Montana towns are plagued with traffic issues because they lack one ways, despite having a fraction of Billings's population. Bike lanes are not a bad idea if they are feasible. I ride my bike to work and don't find much of an issue (I take 2nd street to my office on 27th St N). But please, please, do not make a constant traffic jam in downtown Billings by turning efficient one ways into two ways." Just do it. Leave all streets the same & don't waste money doing studies like this LESS BIKE LANES! Don't give up on-street parking for bike lanes downtown. You will lose shoppers and groups coming to eat, etc. Research how Vancouver (especially the Kitsilano area) , B.C. Canada includes bikers... they are allowed to ride (and are polite, walking their bicycles on sidewalks, etc.) wherever they choose to, interacting nicely with pedestrians and vehicles. There are not bike lanes down every street. Love the whole idea...long time in coming! making these into 2 way traffic would help tremendously. I work downtown and evey day i see someone driving the wrong way on a one way. Someone is going to get hurt. More bike facilities, the better. Would like to see a way for traffic lights to trigger when it's just a bicyclist on the road. There have been numerous times where I have to ride off the road and press the button. More bike lanes please! More bike lanes to make Billings bike-friendly! Thank you for including these options! More parking is ideal. Need to shut down motorized traffic in a 6-8 block rectangle downtown and make it a safe zone for families and pedestrians. Recommend north of 1st Ave N and south of 3rd Ave N and west of 27th street and east of 30th street. In addition, the City should purchase the parking lot west of Rockets and maybe a few of the surrounding buildings (yesteryears, Monte, etc.) and develop an outdoor ice or glice rink that can also double as a amphitheater for gatherings, live shows, etc. This would create a safer feeling town center feel that would be a destination for families and tourists. Also, recommend stricter laws within and around the town center safety zone prohibiting public intoxication, pan handling, homeless "camping", weapons, ect. No money should be spent on bike lanes because bike riders will do what they want. North 28th (Broadway) is already a 2 way single lanes. When a vehicle is trying to turn across traffic it holds up the entire lane. The people trying to go straight are stuck behind the person turning and this holds up the traffic. Even with the traffic lights it can take 2-3 light changes before you can get through the intersection. Changing all of the streets to be 2 ways is going to create more traffic jams. It may create more parking, but I can see it creating other issues. North-south roads are great for navigating downtown, and are for staying in downtown. East-west are for channeling out of downtown. Having ridden my bike many times to jobs and such in the past, existing traffic laws are sufficient, no dedicated lanes are needed. Bicyclists need instruction, not coddling. Increasing parking is preferred without wrecking existing flow. Note the current congestion during April May June and this is WHAT YOUR CONVERSION WILL be, also Parking will be worse. Billings has a funding Problem with out this ? for what possible gain changing the streets.... PLEASE count the # of Bikes now and this is for the 30 bikes currently parked Downtown. I will move my Business out of Downtown if this foolish change is implemented. There are many more Downtown issues that need attention BEFORE WASTE like this is considered. One of the biggest issues downtown is parking. Why would we pay millions of dollars to reduce parking downtown for the purpose of adding a bike lane? That money could be spent in many others ways that would be more beneficial to downtown.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 37 Only on 32nd Street since the YMCA entrance and exit are there. Overall, I am in favor of converting as many N-S streets from one way to two way as possible. Parking is already an issue downtown. Focus on the issues. A bike lane downtown will not benefit downtown. People riding bicycles will not spend any sort of meaningful money downtown. We need our parking. We need traffic slow down. We need better signage and we need snow removal. This is what should be studied. Parking is already difficult and while we want to be more biker friendly, I think removing parking to allow for separate bike lanes will alienate people who already struggle and avoid downtown due to parking issues. I appreciate the idea of getting rid of the one ways, but to remove parking for separate biking which is limited with weather in the long run may have negative impacts for businesses and the downtown district who already struggle with keeping businesses which are leaving to head westend of town. While the addition of the parking garage at the Nothern is available, it is not convenient enough to the actual downtown area, and it is rather expensive. The city parking structures are regularly full for hourly parking. Most seem to be filled with monthly reserved parking. As someone that has to frequent the courthouses for work, parking is a challenge, particularly in the winter. Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk and bike lanes are only useful 6 months of the year in MT. "Please consider creative elements and comfort/livability along with pedestrian safety and accessibility. Speaking of accessibility, this survey format is not conducive to people of all abilities (specifically elderly or blind/low-vision) to be able to read and/or see the pictures. The example pictures are TINY! I'm on a desktop computer." Please include in your public outreach information on the economic benefits of two-way traffic to adjacent business. Prefer to see physical barrier like a small curb your keep bikes and cars from intersecting. Favor cycle tracks when possible. Quit mis spending the tax dollars of the people!!! This kind of thing isn't free and I'm guessing not cheap. Use the money for something needed Quit trying to appease the very minimal bicycle traffic and use your brain/talent to accommodate vehicle congestion. Reducing lanes in downtown is the craziest idea I have heard. I understand the desire to make it safer for bicyclists, but those of us who drive in and out downtown likely agree that the one-ways are manageable and make for more traffic to move faster. When 4th or 6th are blocked or have lane reduced, it become obvious in all other road ways. It put pressure on similar direction streets. One ways in the cross streets allow for those turning right or left to make a choice and make the traffic move along when the lights are green. Stop with the made up projects. Bike lanes are not necessary. Stop wasting our tax dollars. Thank you for doing this important work. It is time to go back to having a vibrant downtown that was removed when all the streets were converted to one ways. The City of Billings should be focusing on public safety, homelessness, cleanliness and crime in our downtown areas. NOT THE DIRECTION of which way the vehicles drive. This is a 100% complete waste of money that NEEDS to be focused in more prudent directions. The city says there is data that one way traffic is meant to move traffic efficiently and impacts local businesses negatively. We had 2 way streets, we spent money converting to 1 way, now we want to spend millions and millions more converting back again. Meanwhile, the conversion extended the TIF district and focused more tax dollars to downtown businesses rather than the general public good. "The concept of "back-in angled parking" is appealing as it allows a good visibility of oncoming traffic in the lane that the vehicle will join after leaving the parking position. Most people are not used to back into the parking space, especially if it is an angled space, so they will most likely ignore the rule and try to park front-in, which will be very difficult from the lane of travel. At the same time, perceived from the opposite perspective, an empty parking spot on the vehicle's left looks just right to drive front-in if there is an opening in the incoming traffic. After that, the vehicle would be positioned wrong when it's time to leave, as it has no visibility due to the other cars parked that obstruct its view, and then it will have to back up turning sharply to join the proper lane, or to back up across the incoming lane to join the lane it came from before parking. Back-in angled could work if the street is one-way.
Angled parking offers the least visibility among all the parking options and it is therefore more dangerous to bicyclists. Parallel parking is the best option if the bike lane is not physically separated from regular traffic, or if using sharrow." The core downtown streets work fine as one-ways. However visibility is poor on some intersections due to parking and the traffic light timing could be re-evaluated. The intersection of N 35th, Division and 2nd Ave north would be confusing and difficult to control. I live right on the corner and would not like a massive 3 way traffic light in my front yard. Please, times infinity. The one way streets are working, so if it's not broken, why change? The few bikes are not worth the cost. If you want to fix a problem, get an overpass over the railroad tracks. That is a problem that needs attention. Use the money for that project. The people who live and work here have been accustomed to the way the streets are. But if you change the streets now, it will create more accidents due to the confusion and chaos. Billings has enough accidents already.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 38 There aren't enough cyclists in the entire county to justify the expense. There is an expense associated with this when we, as a city, are already experiencing a shortfall. Now isn't the time the spend funds on such frivolous things. These images are way too fuzzy to read. Recommend shutting down the north half of 35th and merge with the park - provide sidewalk access where road is. Careful how much you mix and match parallel and angled parking. There are many painted lines that jog at intersections in Billings and I find it unsafe as a driver. These streets are perfect the way they are. If you want to add accommodations for bicycles, great. Otherwise, Billings' system of alternating one-way streets both north-south and east-west is, believe it or not, extremely efficient in moving traffic throughout downtown. Every city should adopt a similar system; it makes it very easy to get around. Please, keep things the way they are. There is no reason to spend all that money changing everything around! this doesn't affect me negatively the way things are and i drive through there several times a day. This is a nightmare. I've lived in 3 cities, NYC LA and Denver. Billings is on a grid. It's not that difficult. Parking is nothing. I've spent like ten minutes put together finding a space when I go anywhere downtown. It won't get worse because montanans don't go out. It's all us who chose to live here and we'll be just fine traffic flows well now. why create accidents when people are turning in front of cars with 2 way traffic. intersections move smooth now why create backup at every intersection. how are you going to pay for this remember the city deficit problem. i have heard business owner are pushing for this no one else. another city mess! "Traffic is hard enough to navigate through, let alone taking away lanes. Very, very poor idea." Turn North 26th Street to North 22nd Street between Montana and 1st Avenue North into one ways with front load angled parking on each side. Turn the alley between the locations into walking well lighted space. Create Speak Easy alley entrances. Adds on street parking and slows down traffic for a more walker friendly setup. Two way conversion providing better access to our hospitals is essential. Two way is preferable to all the one-ways. We do a lot of aerial lift work downtown, a lot of our work is for the city. And converting these one ways to 2 ways would greatly impact both out work and the flow of traffic We do not need bike lanes downtown. There are plenty of bike lanes and trails. There is not enough parking downtown already. My friends and myself do not visit downtown as much as we would if there were more parking options!! The bike lanes are being pushed by a few individuals with a little pull!! It's not what is needed. We don't have enough bike riders for this to be a good use of public funds as well as taking away the already limited public parking downtown. We need more park space downtown. We need more residential living space downtown. We need more parking downtown. The streets are fine. If we are going to spend money downtown, and we should, changing to two way streets is a very low priority. We need more two-way traffic streets downtown. It is too confusing for a small downtown city to have one way streets...that only promotes freeway style traffic to move through town and not stop. We tax payers footed the bill to make the one ways as they are today. I say leave things as they are and use our tax monies on somethings more pressing, like bridges and streets. Same for all of the questions below. Why are y'all using honey locusts as boulevard trees? They drop limbs like a mofo, use a different one in the future why are you even considering spending on the streets with the current financial situation of the city? Why do people have to spend so much money changing something that works Why do we need all these bike lanes? Make it more convenient for auto travel and parking. down town parking sucks currently. Why is there no option for "keep one way but provide for protected bike lane?" Why spend the money on making the changes to accommodate for bikes, there are hardly any bike riders. Besides, bike riders don't follow the laws anyway, I hardly see any on Lewis, but I see them everywhere else, riding in the middle of the street, or down the sidewalks forcing walkers to the streets. Would make the city easier to navigate as a visitor You did not have the option for horizontal parking. When you have a bike lane and you have front in or back in parking you are putting the bike riders at risk as you cannot see them when you have SUVs or the higher pick ups parked next to you. I believe the parallel parking is a risk not only for bikers but for cars as well. You cannot see beyond these high vehicles and the way people are driving today they will not stop let let you out.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 39 Public Comment Log: One-Way to Two-Way Conversion - East and West-bound Streets The following is the unedited content collected from the public (presented alphabetically):
Comments Addition of a bike lane would be nice. Again the one way provides a lane for a bike (albeit a car travel lane) and a lane for a car to go around the bike. The parking issue where people try to u-turn to get a spot is eliminated. "Again, I am not really a traffic expert so don't know the advantages of these proposals. The reason for these changes should be thoroughly thought threw. I do believe we need to provide for bike traffic to have a safe area to get through the downtown area. There is more and more bike traffic and safety is an issue, As such I chose the option with the bike lanes. I am not sure why this option requires 2 way traffic to be included as it seems it could be included in the one way streets as well.
Additionally, I would like to be sure changes reduce (at least don't increase) traffic to the residential streets from Division to 1st & 2nd. There has been, at times, in the past a strong incentive to cut through the residential streets to avoid traffic lights and congested traffic on arterial streets, particularly the light on Division and Broadwater. It seems the conversion to one way streets along with other changes reduced that significantly. It would be very upsetting if the proposed changes again produced increased traffic along with safety issues on the residential streets." As mentioned, the flow in east-west is vital. Lights are timed to hot one red at most, then flow through at 20-25mph. Don't wreck that! Being able to safely ride a bicycle downtown is a top priority for me! Billings must continue to make bicycling to and from work and retail shopping a priority. This will make the community safer, healthier, and attractive to those moving into the city. Billings needs to balance the budget before making unnecessary changes. "change it back to a complete one way the whole road. Where it splits into 2 way is very confusing for drivers." Division Street would have a light on each intersection. This would slow the traffic flow and cause delays during increased use ( i.e. weekday 8 a,m. and 5 p.m. and special events). Visitors from out of Billings might be confused as to just 2 east and west bound streets being two way. If you keep 4th and Montana one way there might be a possibility of increased cars turning the wrong way on the one way in error. The traffic flow into and out of the downtown area flows easily as it is now. Do this asap. Don't waste taxpayer money downtown billings should be a destination for people to linger, stroll and spend money, not an engineering mechanism for speedy vehicle through-put. Evidence shows that two-way streets are both safer and better for business. One-ways encourage people to speed through an area because they don't have to be attentive to oncoming traffic. It also disincentivizes both tourists and visitors from other parts of town (I have many times heard "I get so turned around with all the one-ways downtown"). To build downtown businesses, we should make it easy to get around and bring back two-ways. I once dated someone who, as a pedestrian, had been struck by a car downtown barreling down a one-way. The conversion should also make it safer as drivers are more attentive. It's a win-win. Get rid of front-in angle parking on all streets. I am supportive of any change that allows more use of downtown and makes the traffic situation less intimidating. I would love to see biking areas however, parking is more critical as this is always everyone's complaint. I also like turn lanes for traffic flow; however, this takes away from usable space for parking or bike lanes. I would encourage more arrows downtown for turning on busier roads if a center lane is not possible. I believe that 2nd and 3rd Avenue North need proper bike lanes, however they should remain one-way streets. These are already low-speed, low car-traffic arteries through the middle of downtown that would make ideal bicycle arteries connecting Division all the way to Main Street by Metra. Keeping them one-way means folks only need to look one way before crossing the street. Plus of course you'd only need one big bicycle lane on a one-way street, versus two bike lanes if it were two-way. I don't drive very much - I'm a biker - so please don't take my answers very seriously for this part of the survey as I am not able to provide much insight. I like bike lanes...parking can be parallel or front in depending on best use of existing space. I like more parking options and feel it would boost the desire to open businesses downtown, and to visit those businesses. I think a separated bike lane here would be best, as it is a little terrifying biking those streets, but hopefully the 2-way conversion and lanes would make it a lot safer to bike and get to destinations downtown
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 40 I think bike lanes on these roads and better east-west connectivity would be especially helpful for the experience of biking downtown. I find that the roads in this direction tend to be the busiest, and as a result feel the most dangerous for biking. I think the front-in angled parking is dangerous for bicyclists. I also fee like the one-way east & west bound streets are speedways to encourage people to drive through downtown to get elsewhere rather than seeing downtown as a destination. I think trying to transition this into two way traffic is stupid and a waste of resources that could be used better elsewhere! In order reduce costs while still maintaining the highest standards of pedestrian safety, I propose that in the 9 block area of 1st Ave. N. to 4th Ave. N. and N. 27 to N. 30th be understood as a primary pedestrian zone. All of the streets within that zone are still multi-modal, but the 4 intersections within the middle of the zone would be 4-way stop signs; the emphasis of these streets is access to downtown businesses and services, not accommodating through traffic. This is consistent with Jeff Speck's rule #76 in Walkable City Rules. It would be nice to know the traffic and bicycle volumes so a better vote can be placed. Not sure how many bikes use these corridors. "I've lived in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, and Billings over the past 10 years. I grew up in Laurel. Billings has a fantastic roads system right now. The one ways allow for easy commutes and access to downtown. They also prevent people from taking left turns across multiple traffic lanes at intersections (which creates a lot of traffic on two way streets). Other Montana towns are plagued with traffic issues because they lack one ways, despite having a fraction of Billings's population. Bike lanes are not a bad idea if they are feasible. I ride my bike to work and don't find much of an issue (I take 2nd street to my office on 27th St N). But please, please, do not make a constant traffic jam in downtown Billings by turning efficient one ways into two ways." Keep cyclists safe. Promote more bike use in Billings. Keep the one way because it is efficient but add a bike lane for travel. Leave 2nd and 3rd as one ways. They currently have effective traffic flow. As someone who regularly bikes through downtown I would appreciate a designated bike lane on the two streets. However these streets carry bicycle traffic fine as is. Leave them as one ways with back in angled parking and parallel parking and with a cycle track or sharrow. Leave then the way there are. LESS BIKE LANES! Don't give up on-street parking for bike lanes downtown. You will lose shoppers and groups coming to eat, etc. Research how Vancouver (especially the Kitsilano area) , B.C. Canada includes bikers... they are allowed to ride (and are polite, walking their bicycles on sidewalks, etc.) wherever they choose to, interacting nicely with pedestrians and vehicles. There are not bike lanes down every street. Make sure that traffic leaving the City hall parking garage can see oncoming traffic when they exit the structure. Right now, drivers have a hard time seeing traffic because of the angled parking on the same side of the road. More bike lanes to increase bike-ability in Billings! Must have Bike Lanes on 2nd and 3rd! No money should be spent on bike lanes because bike riders will do what they want. Not sure. We want a protected bike lane in one of them - don't need all of them One-way streets provide smooth efficient traffic flows and are safer to navigate. Many of us have to pass through downtown on our way to/from other destinations. Please don't make it any harder and slower than it already is. Opposed to two way travel. Want the bike lane. Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk and bike lanes are only useful 6 months of the year in MT. Please consider creative elements and comfort/livability along with pedestrian safety and accessibility. Put the bike lane tight against the sidewalk. The eastern part of 2nd and 3rd is flawed - unsafe to put bike lane between parallel parking and road. Quit mis spending the tax dollars of the people!!! This kind of thing isn't free and I'm guessing not cheap. Use the money for something needed Quit trying to appease the very minimal bicycle traffic and use your brain/talent to accommodate vehicle congestion. Reducing lanes will make these streets too narrow and dangerous for drivers, bikes and pedestrians. Angle parking really blocks the view of the pedestrian as well as a driver approaching an intersection. Restricting left turn would help with traffic congestions. Same as above: It appears the plan is to serve bicyclists more than traffic flow. When the bikers start paying a road/use tax I'll consider supporting some of these ideas.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 41 Same comment as above regarding parking: Parking is already difficult and while we want to be more biker friendly, I think removing parking to allow for separate bike lanes will alienate people who already struggle and avoid downtown due to parking issues. I appreciate the idea of getting rid of the one ways, but to remove parking for separate biking which is limited with weather in the long run may have negative impacts for businesses and the downtown district who already struggle with keeping businesses which are leaving to head westend of town. While the addition of the parking garage at the Nothern is available, it is not convenient enough to the actual downtown area, and it is rather expensive. The city parking structures are regularly full for hourly parking. Most seem to be filled with monthly reserved parking. As someone that has to frequent the courthouses for work, parking is a challenge, particularly in the winter. Same comment as earlier: Include bike lanes in any new or revised construction in town and county. Thanks See above comment: Need to shut down motorized traffic in a 6-8 block rectangle downtown and make it a safe zone for families and pedestrians. Recommend north of 1st Ave N and south of 3rd Ave N and west of 27th street and east of 30th street. In addition, the City should purchase the parking lot west of Rockets and maybe a few of the surrounding buildings (yesteryears, Monte, etc.) and develop an outdoor ice or glice rink that can also double as a amphitheater for gatherings, live shows, etc. This would create a safer feeling town center feel that would be a destination for families and tourists. Also, recommend stricter laws within and around the town center safety zone prohibiting public intoxication, pan handling, homeless "camping", weapons, ect. See above: We tax payers footed the bill to make the one ways as they are today. I say leave things as they are and use our tax monies on somethings more pressing, like bridges and streets. Same for all of the questions below. Stop with the made up projects. Bike lanes are not necessary. Stop wasting our tax dollars. Strongly against two way traffic on these streets, concerned about introducing more congestion and additional traffic light patterns. Thank you for including the option for more bike lanes to make Billings more bike friendly! The conversion of 2nd and 3rd Avenues to two way should include improved safety for pedestrians and bikes crossing Division. Clark and/or Yellowstone Avenues could provide a bike corridor from the west end to downtown if crossing Division was easier and safer. The cost would be more burden on already over taxed residence in the city and the benefits and safety of this proposal would be minimal. Way more confusion on the downtown streets if this would happen. Surveys are never accurate and this proposal was set up by idiots wanting to spend everyone else's money!!! The existing issues/concerns with access because of the one-way for 2nd and 3rd would be reduce with all the NB/SB streets converting to two-way traffic. The one ways downtown are confusing to unfamiliar drivers as it is. Going from one way (1st) to two way (2nd and 3rd) to one way again (4th and 6th) is a recipe for more confusion! I agree w/converting the north/south bound streets as this removes the inconsistency, but disagree w/changing 2nd and 3rd as it will create more inconsistency. There aren't enough cyclists in the entire county to justify the expense. These streets are perfect the way they are. If you want to add accommodations for bicycles, great. Otherwise, Billings' system of alternating one-way streets both north-south and east-west is, believe it or not, extremely efficient in moving traffic throughout downtown. Every city should adopt a similar system; it makes it very easy to get around. Please, keep things the way they are. There is no reason to spend all that money changing everything around! They are the 2 safest avenues for cyclist. We already have options for people to drive through downtown. Let's give people a couple of roads to drive to downtown. Why would any Business Owner want to make it more difficult to get Customers to their DOWNTOWN Store...... You are sending Business to the Westend ...Heights and making DT less accessable? With two-way traffic one car turning left would cause traffic backups and congestion. With pedestrians slowing left and right turning vehicle traffic it already causes congestion. Just go watch 2nd Ave. N. & Broadway. Leave the streets as is. Would make the city easier to navigate as a visitor
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 42 Public Comment Log: Road Diet - Montana Avenue The following is the unedited content collected from the public (presented alphabetically):
Comments 4th Ave N seems to be a more straight forward cut through downtown for bicycles traveling from the West End to the Heights. It would just continue a possible track running on Lewis Ave. A cycle track down MT AVE would be great. a physical between cycle track and traffic lanes would be ideal, even if minimal. A road diet on Montana between 30th and 18th makes a lot of sense. Anything to slow/reduce traffic especially west of 27th would be welcomed. Also, a left-turn light from Southbound 27th onto Montana is necessary (and permit motorists to turn left onto Montana when 27th is blocked by a train!!!). The bottleneck west of 26th is dangerous, due to the number of lanes, speed of traffic and all the ridiculous parallel parking. Get rid of it! Make it back-in angled parking. Parallel is extremely inefficient and dangerous down there, on both sides of the street. again don't need a bike lane in every street - just every few "Again, I am not really a traffic expert so don't know the advantages of these proposals. The reason for these changes should be thoroughly thought threw. I do believe we need to provide for bike traffic to have a safe area to get through the downtown area. There is more and more bike traffic and safety is an issue. As such I chose the option with the bike lanes. I am not sure why this option requires 2 way traffic to be included as it seems it could be included in the one way streets as well.
I would like to be sure changes reduce (at least don't increase) traffic to the residential streets from Division to 1st & 2nd. There has been, at times, in the past a strong incentive to cut through the residential streets to avoid traffic lights and congested traffic on arterial streets, particularly the light on Division and Broadwater. It seems the conversion to one way streets along with other changes reduced that significantly. It would be very upsetting if the proposed changes again produced increased traffic along with safety issues on the residential streets." Again, parking on Montana ave is not fun. If you want people to visit downtown, parking is the issue! My out of town friends resist to go downtown...... All of your "more options" relate to bicycles. This is not really an array of options and it is less than forthright to refer to them as such. Allowing for a 'cultural/event' area will eliminate use of downtown. If I cannot park near my destination store/shop/restaurant/ agency, I simply will not use downtown businesses! The special event close off as we currently do is ideal. Any version of a separated bike lane/track on Montana would be amazing! It would feel so much safer to bike here and I think would increase pedestrian traffic and sales to those businesses. "As a Montana Avenue business, I do not believe bike lanes should be added to any portion of Montana Avenue. I would like to see additional diagonal parking added to the north side of the road to increase traffic and ease of accessibility to businesses as well as improve street calming for better pedestrian safety.
The Depot loses businesses every year due to lack of parking along Montana Avenue and although i'm in support of bike lanes in other areas around town, Montana Avenue businesses would benefit heavily from increased parking." As one of the few places that Billings left mostly intact, it needs to be a focus of positive development, smart growth, and destination making efforts. Back-in angled parking always seems to cause more problems than it solves. There is an area designated as such by my home, and instead of following regulations, drivers generally cross the oncoming lane to park forward-facing. Balance the budget first. Between the cold winters and hot summers we don't have many who bicycle to work. You will do damage to businesses on Montana Ave though for the sake of a few bicyclists. Cycle track is the best option. Need more usable bike racks on Montana, wider sidewalks. Drivers speed badly on Montana Ave, and the motorcycles are so disturbingly loud. Don't change Montana, but if possible a bike lane would be useful Don't waste taxpayer money Excessive traffic speed on Montana is a major reason I won't visit businesses there. How do the trains impact the back up of traffic by removing a lane? i again like bike lanes but I am still concerned about the loss of parking and also people on Montana travel VERY fast! I would be very careful with traffic flow with bikes and speed of traffic. I commute downtown by bicycle often, and avoid Montana Ave. as unsafe. A bike lane would be safer, and a cycle track too disruptive.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 43 I do not like the idea of reducing capacity of arterial streets. I'd rather see sharrows on 2nd ave n and or 3rd ave n than to reduce capacity on arterial streets I don't believe any kind of bike lane or cycle track is necessary on Montana Avenue. Take it down to 2 lanes, allow for angled parking. I know what a cycle track is - but others may not taking this survey. People speed so badly on Montana Ave and ignore pedestrians. Time to make it safe for pedestrians. I like more parking options and feel it would boost the desire to open businesses downtown, and to visit those businesses. I own McCormick Cafe and Computers Unlimited. We have 180 employees. all drive cars that park in our lots. Only 2-3 bikes in the summer. The most important thing is to slow traffic down and provide street parking for our customers. Our customers all drive cars. No bikes. I propose that during the times there are no bicycles on the bike path, especially during our little rush hours. That motorcycles can use them. You could put hour times, plus a speed limit on he motorcycles. Are electric assisted bikes and mopeds allowed in the paths and sidewalks. These are motorized and it states NO motorized vehicles. If motorcycles must pull over if there is a bicyclist on the path. This will help having motorcycles stop lane splitting and help the travel flow. I see Montana as a fast corridor of one way traffic. Not a road I would ride on. I would love to see more bicycle safe routes. Since you did not define "cycle track". I am not sure if I am in favor of that. A completely seperate physically protected bike lane I would vote for. I think east of 27th, Montana should be focused on providing addition parking. Angled parking can create a slower facility allowing bikes to feel more comfortable in the travel lanes I think slowing down traffic on Montana Ave would be really beneficial after 27th street. While there are crosswalks there, the lack of lights means vehicles often aren't stopping for pedestrians in this area. I think bike lanes and angled parking would help a lot with that. I travel daily into downtown for work. The current system is designed to make it easy for those who commute into downtown. i understand that bikers need somewhere to ride but taking lanes away from the cars is NOT a good solution. I would like this to be a multi use pedestrian boulevard "I would like to see Montana Ave drop down to two lanes of traffic, 25 MPH all the way through, with angled parking to slow traffic and create more parking.
I would like to see better signage downtown for crosswalk signals in areas where traffic lights aren't present. It's dangerous to cross.
I would also like to see better signage BEFORE turning into the 21st St bridge area (8ft bridge). Entirely too many vehicles without clearance make that turn and then have to back up (or do not back up in time and wreck). There is not enough signage to warn drivers. This is a traffic nuisance, hazard, and potentially a liability to the city. There is the potential for someone to end up seriously injured at the bridge and the city ignores just how many accidents have occurred there and how many resources have been spent without putting up proper signage before the turn.
Bike lane on Montana Ave? People travel past our place of business going 65-70 MPH. The city needs to fix what's broken. A bike lane on Montana Ave would be just plain dangerous." I would love to see Montana Avenue become less busy, traffic wise, and I would appreciate any effort to make it more bicycle- friendly. Are there ways to slow the traffic? I would support as much parking as can be made available Ideally we should have a separate multi-use trail running along the train tracks all the way from the 6th Street Underpass, as they have plenty of room to spare, and there is too much cross-traffic for cyclists to worry about when riding on Montana Avenue. Plus perhaps we could build a wall or plant some trees to help muffle the noise of passing trains. Instead of placing more restrictions on the movement of vehicle traffic why don't you ever try to improve traffic flow in this town? Please make additional lanes for traffic don't remove any. It would be nice to know the traffic and bicycle volumes so a better vote can be placed. Not sure how many bikes use this street. "I've lived in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, and Billings over the past 10 years. I grew up in Laurel. Billings has a fantastic roads system right now. The one ways allow for easy commutes and access to downtown. They also prevent people from taking left turns across multiple traffic lanes at intersections (which creates a lot of traffic on two way streets). Other Montana towns are plagued with traffic issues because they lack one ways, despite having a fraction of Billings's population. Bike lanes are not a bad idea if they are feasible. I ride my bike to work and don't find much of an issue (I take 2nd street to my office on 27th St N). But please, please, do not make a constant traffic jam in downtown Billings by turning efficient one ways into two ways." Keep the flow, increase parking, biking is good, but biking doesn't need to eat up parking.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 44 Leave downtown alone. You've had it torn up nearly every year and people are getting in the habit of avoiding it. There aren't enough cyclists in the entire county to justify the expense. Montana Ave should be a two-way. I know there are many barriers to that option, but it would be ideal for the comfort of pedestrians and the goals we have for that street as the commercial center of town. Reference main street Bozeman or Higgins in Missoula. Both are probably wider ROW's but also much more comfortable places to stroll and more economically productive Montana Ave. (at least btw N. 30th and N. 22nd) is one of the premier destinations in Billings, and it should be accessible to people on bicycles. Montana Avenue is a main route used for travel from the westend to the Heights & Lockwood. Any plans for Montana should focus on moving traffic, not controlling traffic. Montana Avenue is in desperate need of traffic calming and pedestrian protections. Drivers fly through this part of town and it's very scary. I think the better protected the bike lane, the better. Montana Avenue is the designated truck route through downtown Billings. It is also very heavily traveled by regular vehicles as well. It is a regular occurrence to see Montana backed up half way between blocks at the stop lights. Please do NOT cause more congestion by removing a traffic lane! Add a bike lane to a lesser traveled street. Montana Avenue is the main street one uses to going east through downtown. Bikes do not belong on such heavily traveled streets as Montana & First Avenue North. Put bike lanes on safer, less traveled streets like 2nd or 3rd Ave. No. Montana Avenue needs to be modified for safety and growth reasons, not a bike lane. Traffic needs to be slowed down to increase pedestrian safety and make shopping and dining more appealing. Two lanes with more angle parking on one side of the street from N. 27th to N 18th would be outstanding. Lowering the speed limit to 25 for the whole road would also be beneficial. None of these options are even a part of the survey. This survey looks to be all about spending tens of millions of dollars for bike lanes. Montana avenue needs to be narrowed and have flashers where pedestrians can cross. People treat it like a race way Montana from 27th to 30th is already tight for 3 lanes. People can't seem to park in front of the pawn shop and the turn in to Western Security banks lot is tight. Montana needs a bike facility and either cycletrack or bike lane would be fine. Vehicular traffic speeds also need to be lowered. "Most of Montana the lanes are not fully utilized with most travelers going North or East. Downtown needs some main protected bike paths to provide a primary artery for bike commuting to increase. How can the south side and west of division housing areas connect safely to this path?" No bike lanes or cycle tracks!! Very expensive option for how few people it benefits (definitely not me) "NO BIKE LANES! Angled parking on the south side to increase parking spots AND slow down traffic. HALF THE YEAR people in Billings, Montana don't ride bikes. Focus on pedestrians and parking!" Not all bicyclists want to stop downtown-just like the automobiles on Montana. They should be afforded safe travel continually through downtown without needing to divert to other streets Obtain more Lot Parking for vehicle parking One only has to look at the traffic disasters of Missoula and Seattle to know that road "diets" are the absolute worst idea a city could ever do. We already have traffic issues downtown, taking away East/West lanes is only going to create additional wait times and fewer people going downtown not encourage more. Only 2 lanes on Montana Avenue are needed! Bike Lanes would be a plus! Only put bike lanes on lesser traveled roads. No bike lanes on Montana Ave, 1st Ave N, 4th Ave N, and 6 Ave N, but can be put on 2nd and 3rd Ave N. Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk and bike lanes are only useful 6 months of the year in MT. Please modify this race track asap. PLEASE PROVIDE BETTER PEDESTRIAN OPTIONS FOR CROSSING THE STREET. DRIVERS SPEED LIKE CRAZY EAST OF 27th. Please, also make sure there is bike signals. Bicycling and two-way streets is the key to making downtown great again! Providing bike infrastructure on Montana Avenue would do wonders to calm traffic and provide a safe route for cyclists. I'm all for it! Quit mis spending the tax dollars of the people!!! This kind of thing isn't free and I'm guessing not cheap. Use the money for something needed Quit trying to appease the very minimal bicycle traffic and use your brain/talent to accommodate vehicle congestion. reduce to 2 lanes of traffic, with cycle track and parallel parking on at least one side of the road. Speed of traffic really needs to be reduced - make the road narrower for vehicles!
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 45 Reducing number of lanes through town is going to cause more issues! Right turns might back up traffic even more if lanes are reduced due to trains. Road diets are a HORRIBLE idea. They tried this sort of nonsense in Los Angeles resulting in a vast increase in traffic. And the same result will beset the Billings area. More lanes are need for traffic, not less! In LA, the weather is more conducive for bicycles than Billings is, and still, it is a bad idea. I am wholeheartedly against this bad idea, and so should anyone that needs to get in and out of the downtown area. Roads need to move traffic ~ narrowing them down is not effective. Same as above: It appears the plan is to serve bicyclists more than traffic flow. When the bikers start paying a road/use tax I'll consider supporting some of these ideas. Same comment as earlier: Include bike lanes in any new or revised construction in town and county. Thanks See above comment: Need to shut down motorized traffic in a 6-8 block rectangle downtown and make it a safe zone for families and pedestrians. Recommend north of 1st Ave N and south of 3rd Ave N and west of 27th street and east of 30th street. In addition, the City should purchase the parking lot west of Rockets and maybe a few of the surrounding buildings (yesteryears, Monte, etc.) and develop an outdoor ice or glice rink that can also double as a amphitheater for gatherings, live shows, etc. This would create a safer feeling town center feel that would be a destination for families and tourists. Also, recommend stricter laws within and around the town center safety zone prohibiting public intoxication, pan handling, homeless "camping", weapons, ect. Slow down traffic Slower speed limit Sorry this is out of place, and unpopular, but Billings needs a sales tax to pay for modifications that benefit everyone, including out-of-town shoppers and tourists. It is time for a proposal to create a sales tax with a firm commitment to decrease property tax proportionally (so as not to scare the poop out of anti-tax people). Stop with the made up projects. Bike lanes are not necessary. Stop wasting our tax dollars. The area from 18th to 27th is full of shop areas and needs parking. Since it is already 3 lanes and a little less congested, I feel a bike track there is not as necessary. But the congested parts are from 27th st and further west. The more safe multimodal options the better The same bicycle facilities should be provided throughout Montana Ave The trend of bending over backwards for a tiny, seasonal minority, at the expense of a huge majority of users is poor stewardship and a disservice to the community at large. This represents an obvious attempt of the government busybodies to impose the prejudice of central planning bureaucrats on an unsuspecting general population. How about representing the huge majority this time. You can still cash the massive consultant check the City of Billings is so fond of spending. There is a great deal of traffic on Montana Avenue. I think it would be taking a big step backward to take away lanes. I also think traffic is too busy on Montana and 1st Ave. North to include bicycle lanes. This is a high traffic area. Creating separate spaces causes some concern with transients and others who may now congregate in these separated areas. With increased traffic, especially when there is a train stopping traffic from turning south from Montana, I fear reduced lanes would cause a backlog where folks can now move to the northern lanes and provide space for those needing to turn south. I appreciate additional parking, but not at the cost of the reduced lanes. It is difficult for me to understand if adding parking would reduce lanes as your sample pictures are too small to review what it would actually look like. In the event there would be reduced lanes, I would prefer it to remain the same. This is one of the best roads in Billings for biking. It is also one of the scariest. More protection for bicyclists will also help protect pedestrians. Traffic direction is not the problem, SPEEDING and TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT is before someone is hit and killed on that road. Traffic on Montana Ave is consistently over the speed limit and is dangerous to anyone not in a vehicle. A cycle track would help make it a safer facility for bikes and maybe slow down traffic for pedestrians. Waste of money to create cycle tracks WHAT is the obsession with bike lanes? This is crazy, we are not a large metropolitan area that has a bike contingent..... Why in the hell are you considering a "cycle track" in the middle of downtown Billings? We have a large city, find another spot that doesn't involve inconveniencing so many non-cyclists. Why is EVERYTHING about the few bike riders? you have already spent enough on Montana Ave. Leave it alone and use that money somewhere else
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 46 Public Comment Log: Road Diet - 6th Avenue N The following is the unedited content collected from the public (presented alphabetically):
Comments 6th ave has just enough lanes for passing slower traffic and getting back from the Heights quickly and efficiently. Definately don't modify! The smaller streets downtown can have the bicicle lanes. 6th Ave needs to be re-paved. a multi-use path would cleanly align with the existing path dropping down to 6th Avenue from Swords Park After the Inner Belt Loop is completed, my vote would be to have protected bike lanes. Until the Inner Belt Loop project is completed, traffic flow should not be restricted from the Heights. Again, 6th Ave. N. is the major route for traffic heading west from main. And it is busy. Please don't clobber it up and make it slower than it is. Again, put bike lanes on safer streets, not major thoroughfares. Nobody wants an accident with a bike. "Again, I am not really a traffic expert so don't know the advantages of these proposals. The reason for these changes should be thoroughly thought threw. I do believe we need to provide for bike traffic to have a safe area to get through the downtown area. There is more and more bike traffic and safety is an issue. As such I chose the option with the bike lanes. I am not sure why this option requires 2 way traffic to be included as it seems it could be included in the one way streets as well.
I would like to be sure changes reduce (at least don't increase) traffic to the residential streets from Division to 1st & 2nd. There has been, at times, in the past a strong incentive to cut through the residential streets to avoid traffic lights and congested traffic on arterial streets, particularly the light on Division and Broadwater. It seems the conversion to one way streets along with other changes reduced that significantly. It would be very upsetting if the proposed changes again produced increased traffic along with safety issues on the residential streets." Again, speeding is a major problem on this road :/ The lack of traffic lights encourages people to come racing down 6th. I would feel safest on a multi-use path, off the road. As a heights resident who needs to get downtown in the high volume traffic, removing lanes would be even more difficult than it already is. As Montana Ave, keep the flow, increase parking where possible, biking already works, so no extra needed. Pedestrian options here are useful though, as Montana already has that. Bike lanes are not necessarily safer for riders. Drivers need reminding that riders have just as much right to the streets as they do and respect them as they would a vehicle driver. Bikes are NOT a problem. Don't make them one. Concerns a multi-use path may not be too distinguished from a sidewalk. Where this is an urban environment with many intersections, extra care in the painting and facility design would be best. The protected bike lane could also allow for cycle track to be pulled back (protected intersection) at the corners. I am concerned the multi-use path could invite right hooks and people feeling safer than they are ... basically riding on a sidewalk (where most of the car-bike collisions happen) Currently the east end of 6th Ave North is a race track. A safe "multi-use path" would be welcome Dangerous connection between 6th and the heights. I hope we can have a protected separated path. Don't waste taxpayer money For me, safe bicycle access between the Heights and the Downtown area is the absolute most important item. Seems it could be done quite inexpensively. Have you tried to get into or out of the Heights during rush hour. It took us 3 tries to get through on a green light two days ago. You want to add bikes to the busiest highway in the state of Montana. Brilliant. Let's kill those riding bikes and make sure only retirees or unemployed can live in the Heights. I feel bike lanes should be directed to the lesser vehicle traveled streets. Signage is important to guide bicyclists to safe, designated routes. I believe it is a safer option for vehicles and bicycles to not purposefully be combined on a heavy vehicle- traveled street. "I like the idea of closing off 5th avenue to cars. If given the choice of modifying 6th or closing off 5th I would choose closing off 5th as long as it would be made safe to get from the heights onto 5th. In general I don't like standard bike lanes mainly because of the confusion at intersections where cars want to turn right across the lane and also because of large vehicles with wide side mirrors. I prefer extra wide lanes with sharrows if completely separate bike access is not available. Also I would prefer that the bike access was consistent at least within the same road and not always changing. Preferably consistent in the whole downtown. That's even more confusing than one way streets!" I think pedestrian and bicycle access from alkali creek area to this area of town would be very beneficial i understand that bikers need somewhere to ride but taking lanes away from the cars is NOT a good solution.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 47 I would like these options to be informed by the 5th Avenue North Corridor Study. If there ends up being a multi-use path through that corridor, I don't see the need for a multiuse path on 6th because 5th Avenue would be safer. The speed of traffic on 6th is concerning, as well as the falling rocks from the Rims. I would like to see the bike lane extended at least as far west as 16th Street or ideally to North Park Instead of making a path parallel 6th Avenue North, why not pave a path along the railway line between 4th and 6th, as it will probably see a lot of traffic, and be much safer than forcing folks to ride along 6th. Plus if they eventually turn that track into a trolley line connecting downtown and Metra, cyclists and pedestrians could easily hop on the train. Instead of placing more restrictions on the movement of vehicle traffic why don't you ever try to improve traffic flow in this town? Please make additional lanes for traffic don't remove any. "I've lived in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, and Billings over the past 10 years. I grew up in Laurel. Billings has a fantastic roads system right now. The one ways allow for easy commutes and access to downtown. They also prevent people from taking left turns across multiple traffic lanes at intersections (which creates a lot of traffic on two way streets). Other Montana towns are plagued with traffic issues because they lack one ways, despite having a fraction of Billings's population. Bike lanes are not a bad idea if they are feasible. I ride my bike to work and don't find much of an issue (I take 2nd street to my office on 27th St N). But please, please, do not make a constant traffic jam in downtown Billings by turning efficient one ways into two ways." Make 3rd ave N a shared street instead of the arterial Making these roadways narrower or having less lanes will continue to cause bottlenecks and other issues for commuters! More options is better! Speaking as a pedestrian visitor. Multi-use bike thoroughfares would seem to be a priority in decision making, with ancillary bike routes dependent upon approval of multi-use bike thoroughfares. No bike lanes or multi-use paths!! Very expensive option for how few people it benefits (definitely not me) No bike/multi-use paths on major roads. Only put on non-arterial roads. No strong feelings on this issue. Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk and bike lanes are only useful 6 months of the year in MT. Please modify this airport runway asap. Quit mis spending the tax dollars of the people!!! This kind of thing isn't free and I'm guessing not cheap. Use the money for something needed Quit trying to appease the very minimal bicycle traffic and use your brain/talent to accommodate vehicle congestion. Same comments as Montana Ave: Road diets are a HORRIBLE idea. They tried this sort of nonsense in Los Angeles resulting in a vast increase in traffic. And the same result will beset the Billings area. More lanes are need for traffic, not less! In LA, the weather is more conducive for bicycles than Billings is, and still, it is a bad idea. I am wholeheartedly against this bad idea, and so should anyone that needs to get in and out of the downtown area. Same comment as earlier: Include bike lanes in any new or revised construction in town and county. Thanks Send the multi-use path to the whole stretch of montana Stop with the made up projects. Bike lanes are not necessary. Stop wasting our tax dollars. That is a dangerous area for bikes. The flow of traffic from the heights into downtown can already be burdensome. By removing a lane, this will restrict the flow of traffic even more so. The graphic on the survey are impossible to see-next time create an option to have them bigger and have a map available of the streets in question above the options as there is no way to toggle back and see when taking the survey. Also plant more trees The intersection where main meets 6th N needs to be revamped. When traveling down main and wanting to go onto 6th you have to transition over to the far right lane. That then open up into another lane just past Applebees. This is a huge bottleneck. Why allow the middle lane on main st also have the option of transitioning onto 6th? It would just require a slight modification to the main and 6th intersection. Just change up the paint. Traffic would flow so much better. The traffic on 6th avenue and 1st avenue is already too congested and to reduce the number of lanes would exacerbate the situation. Even the current traffic pattern has severe issues, There is currently no dedicated lane to go to the Lockwood area. So if there is a traffic issue in the heights, the traffic backup includes both the heights and Lockwood traffic. The trend of bending over backwards for a tiny, seasonal minority, at the expense of a huge majority of users is poor stewardship and a disservice to the community at large. This represents an obvious attempt of the government busybodies to impose the prejudice of central planning bureaucrats on an unsuspecting general population. How about representing the huge majority this time. You can still cash the massive consultant check the City of Billings is so fond of spending.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 48 There are already long wait times for people heading west from the heights, don't add to the problems There aren't enough cyclists in the entire county to justify the expense. "There is no safe bike connection from the heights to downtown. I would like to see a protected bike option. Concerned about the cost listed in the detailed views for N13 to N10" This change is so necessary! Allowing for a multi-use path or a protected bike lane will make all pedestrian and cycling modes of transportation so much safer and more enjoyable, linking downtown with the entire trail system. This is an extremely busy road where people drive at least 10 miles above the speed limit. It would be nice to slow it down slightly for safety reasons. In the winter, I've seen people trying to navigate the snowy sidewalks next to speeding cars that slide on the road from going to fast for the conditions. It would be great to have a safe space for pedestrians, people in wheelchairs and bicyclists and to have the cars move at a more reasonable speed. This is mostly an industrial area with sufficient parking and little congestion in its current state. This modification is all about safety! 6th doesn't have to be SO wide! Those of us who drive cars into downtown pay for the roads. Bicycle drivers are not required to buy licenses and shouldn't receive preference on the highways paid for by those who own cars. Was it considered to put some sort of multi use trail down the old 5th ave ROW ? All the way down to 27th would be an incredible option for people to bike from the heights to downtown or downtown to the metra. We need a bike lane and a better path for pedestrians with trees. The new streetscape in the EBURD has no street trees - huge mistake. Bring people to the Metra from downtown and North Park. The improvements on 6th need to reach further west than just 13th St. when I drive this daily, there are no bikes seen. This part of 6th ave north is the best moving road system we have. To narrow it down is not effective for moving traffic. Would be nice to connect it somehow to the bike trails that go onto the rims and into the heights Would like to see accountability from both recycling companies and city to keep up on trash debris and weeds in this area. Yes, change it to two way road
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 49 Public Comment Log: Road Diet - North 13th Street The following is the unedited content collected from the public (presented alphabetically):
Comments 13th is an important bicycle route connector between downtown and the heights. We need to make is safer. A bike lane might be nice if it connects "Again, I am not really a traffic expert so don't know the advantages of these proposals. The reason for these changes should be thoroughly thought threw. I do believe we need to provide for bike traffic to have a safe area to get through the downtown area. There is more and more bike traffic and safety is an issue. As such I chose the option with the bike lanes. I am not sure why this option requires 2 way traffic to be included as it seems it could be included in the one way streets as well.
I would like to be sure changes reduce (at least don't increase) traffic to the residential streets from Division to 1st & 2nd. There has been, at times, in the past a strong incentive to cut through the residential streets to avoid traffic lights and congested traffic on arterial streets, particularly the light on Division and Broadwater. It seems the conversion to one way streets along with other changes reduced that significantly. It would be very upsetting if the proposed changes again produced increased traffic along with safety issues on the residential streets." Ditto Don't waste taxpayer money I do not use this street much. I don't understand why you want to change it. I see how you modified Lewis Ave for a bike lane and it is positively risky for bikers where the bike lanes end and they have to enter real traffic. It is not where I would ride. Instead of placing more restrictions on the movement of vehicle traffic why don't you ever try to improve traffic flow in this town? Please make additional lanes for traffic don't remove any. Is there any way to have both a center turn lane as well as conventional bike lanes? It would be nice to know the traffic and bicycle volumes so a better vote can be placed. Not sure how many bikes use this corridor. "I've lived in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, and Billings over the past 10 years. I grew up in Laurel. Billings has a fantastic roads system right now. The one ways allow for easy commutes and access to downtown. They also prevent people from taking left turns across multiple traffic lanes at intersections (which creates a lot of traffic on two way streets). Other Montana towns are plagued with traffic issues because they lack one ways, despite having a fraction of Billings's population. Bike lanes are not a bad idea if they are feasible. I ride my bike to work and don't find much of an issue (I take 2nd street to my office on 27th St N). But please, please, do not make a constant traffic jam in downtown Billings by turning efficient one ways into two ways." my shop is at 212 n 13th. I see the traffic there. the street there is very busy during rush hours. Do not take away options for cars just to make room for bikes. Also do not take away our street parking, as many of the businesses here do not have parking lots so there is no other option for us. No bike lanes or sharrows!! Very expensive option for how few people it benefits (definitely not me) No parallel parking wanted on 13th between 4th and 6th Ave. Not a priority for me. Pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk and bike lanes are only useful 6 months of the year in MT. Quit mis spending the tax dollars of the people!!! This kind of thing isn't free and I'm guessing not cheap. Use the money for something needed Quit trying to appease the very minimal bicycle traffic and use your brain/talent to accommodate vehicle congestion. Safety, safety, and more safety. This would increase cyclist and pedestrian safety, as well as linking well-used routes to trails, downtown, and the Heights. Same comments as Montana Ave: Road diets are a HORRIBLE idea. They tried this sort of nonsense in Los Angeles resulting in a vast increase in traffic. And the same result will beset the Billings area. More lanes are need for traffic, not less! In LA, the weather is more conducive for bicycles than Billings is, and still, it is a bad idea. I am wholeheartedly against this bad idea, and so should anyone that needs to get in and out of the downtown area. See above: We tax payers footed the bill to make the one ways as they are today. I say leave things as they are and use our tax monies on somethings more pressing, like bridges and streets. Same for all of the questions below. Stop with the made up projects. Bike lanes are not necessary. Stop wasting our tax dollars. There aren't enough cyclists in the entire county to justify the expense.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 50 This comment is regarding the question on my use of Bike lanes below: I ride my bike very frequently, but hardly ever use a bike lane due to their lack of existence. While Lewis has a sharrow, cars pass fast and close and I take Clark because I feel safer. Downtown is a little better with the one-ways because I feel like I can take a whole lane and am more visible doing so. I don't like conventional bike lanes that skirt parallel parking because I know individuals who have had car doors opened into the bike lanes suddenly resulting in a bike crash. This is mostly an industrial area with sufficient parking and little congestion in its current state. If anything I would do something with the underpass. through the MDT 1st avenue project, the 13th/1st intersection is being designed to focus on moving vehicle traffic. There is no demand for pedestrian/bicycle traffic nor do I anticipated this changing in the near future. Traffic and bike volume does not warrant expense at this time. What is a sharrow? Whatever is best for the development of the BIRD area. Currently, not sure how many people would use a bike lane, but would make sense if more people are drawn there due to future development. Whatever you do on 13th please consider visibility for people coming from 2nd and 3rd onto or across 13th. The cars/trucks that are parallel parked on 13th make visibility up and down 13th a nightmare when trying to pull out from 2nd or 3rd.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 51 Public Comment Log: Seasonal Closure - Broadway Avenue The following is the unedited content collected from the public (presented alphabetically):
Comments A seasonal closure of Broadway would be detrimental to businesses. The number one complaint we hear is a lack of parking. Taking away an entire block of the closest parking is the opposite of a solution. Absolutely this! I work in tourism and this would be a big draw. An all year closure would be better. The amount of parking available in that stretch is insignificant to the number of entertainment businesses there and there are nearby parking garages for that point anyway. Closure year round would provide an amenity to the City we do not currently have. Are they ever going to allow festivals and events again? If not, there is no reason to close this. If the officials ever deem it safe for us to gather again, then maybe, but the way things are now, this seems pointless. Until they open us back up, I think time and money could be better spent on things that people could use. As a business owner, I think it is unfair to the businesses on that block to close it to traffic. Special events like the Farmer's Market are already in place and enough. Billiings natives just don't care enough for that to work. They don't want to detour or lose parking spots. Are you going to close your masters' banks and stores? Blocks the flow of traffic completely. Have we not experienced this already with Alberta Bair renovations? Broadway is one of few through streets over the tracks. Backing up the others wouldn't be wise. Maybe between 2nd and 3rd instead? Broadway works good. Two way traffic and parking. Can be closed on event-by-event basis I would think. Close it all year round. Make it a pedestrian plaza with bike parking, bike lane, planters, trees, etc. Close it year round. Close all downtown to cars. Allow businesses to use sidewalks and pedestrians and bikes to use streets. Closing Broadway as we do now is sufficient, I don't think a seasonal closing is necessary or should be done. Closing Broadway shuts the Northern Hotel off from business when it is closed. The hotel brings over 30,000 non-residents to downtown every year - this could actually hurt downtown businesses and the Northern also! Also,this would require extra funds and policing. How would we pay for this? Complicates traffic congestion downtown since a vehicle could not use these streets when it is closed Concerned about impact to businesses. I know during the construction of Skypoint several businesses were very hard hit. I would reconsider based on additional data from the businesses. Could build a temporary stage for the season and have concerts where people could be either at the venues in that block or in the street with their own chairs or what not. Currently it is frequently closed for existing functions, then it is open for convenient traffic flow when there are not functions. Why close it permanently even on a seasonal basis? This makes no sense and will cause confusion for drivers Define Seasonal... are you talking about for the entire summer - no, leave it the way it is. Are you talking about for outdoor venues to allow for street fairs and concerts once in a while? Absolutely. We already have challenges with traffic moving through the downtown. I support the Downtown businesses wanting to create additional outdoor space and venues, but don't create an environment that prevents people from wanting to come downtown DO NOT EVEN THINK OF IT!!!! Do we not close certain areas for public events anyway? I'm not sure what you mean by seasonally. Do whatever can be done to alleviate vehicle traffic. Engage the Downtown Businesses! Be creative with the space! Extend seasonal closure from 1st all the way to 3rd Festival and open air dining or beer garden space. Give us a reason to walk around, dine out, farmers markets more than a few hours, etc. I actually think it would be great to close it permanently I am against all road closures. Roads were built to move traffic, not serve as an entertainment area. I am not sure what Seasonal Closure is exactly, but closing for concerts, farmers market, etc is enjoyable.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 52 I believe there should be permanent road closures downtown. Basically the 4 blocks that conduct the Farmer's Market. One way streets work best downtown to avoid people trying to turn left. People need to be encouraged to use parking garages. I did not move any items below because I do not care for any of the alternatives. In all the years I have lived here it seems that these streets have been changed many times. I don't see any reason for these changes. I don't have strong feelings here, but would consult with local business owners. I definitely think Billings should continue to make more use of that space. I also know that "walking mall" concepts often face challenges and want to make it easy and intuitive for people to get around downtown. I don't see the need. Just keep closing it for events. I don't believe that one block has enough foot traffic all the time to support a seasonal closure. I find it frustrating when braodwater is already closed and even more so that the Doc Harpers takes up even that more parking. My kids attend daycare on Broadway next to the Alberta Bair and when the streets are closed, the way the one ways work, I have to go an absurd way already to get there. This is manageable the few times it is closed, i.e. alive after 5, etc., but to be closed seasonally would be a nightmare for traffic and others like me that use that space. The city and county really need to find an alternative to creating public spaces and modifying use permanently (thinking one big sky) rather than seasonal, short- term options. I happen to know a little about this proposal and what the seasonal enclosure entails, but otherwise I might not understand what the seasonal closure would mean. This doesn't explain what a cool thing this would be for pedestrians and shopping, etc. Others taking this survey might take it too literally... I just dislike seasonal closures in the same way that people cut off sidewalk area for their establishments during the summer. By the time you get used to the status, it changes. I like it closed for events but don't see a need for a full season of closure. I like the idea of seasonal closures, but would think first we need to encourage outdoor patios and seating for businesses in that area. If that is a success, seasonal closures seem like an appropriate next step. I like the idea, especially if this was the only street and the DESIGNATED street for outdoor events. What happens if more than one event occurs at the same time? I live on this block and could vote for either. However, closure this year would have been impossible with all the construction. We must take into account the residents on this block and ability to enter their premises and have deliveries. I love this idea! I suspect our downtown is not strong enough to survive the complete loss of vehicular traffic. I think it would be okay to close Broadway year round from 1st Ave. N to 4th and have a Walking Mall. I would also like to state that to pay for the bike paths that each person who owns a bike or buys a bike pay 50.00 to 100.00 permanent plate but children under sixteen do not have to have one unless their parents wish. Since bikes do not pay road tax like cars, they need to help pay the upkeep on the paths. Also, the cyclists must obey traffic laws or be fined. Many cyclists feel they have all the right away and do not have to obey traffic laws. I know because I have seen them run stop signs and not look and have seen cars almost hit a cyclist who does not obey the law and then flip the car driver off for the cyclist error. If the city of Billings needs to require all adult cyclists to take a riding course to insure their safety they must do so and have it placed on their drivers license or a paper certifying they have taken a course. They must pay for the course. If they are stopped and do not have this certification, they are fined and cannot ride until they have the certification. I would like to see that section of Broadway Ave permanently made into a pedestrian mall I would rather see complete streets throughout downtown than a closed Broadway. Ped malls have mixed success records in places where people aren't already walking quite a bit I would recommend closing it throughout the year. "If there is enough parking to compensate ***Could not get terms and conditions to load so cannot agree to them and reserve my rights , without prejudice" If you close it you need to make all streets two ways. Downtown is hard to navigate as is and N broadway is a major route for fire trucks. Or atleast make the N/S streets two ways . Important to control loitering and vagrants in and around the seasonal closed area. In general, adding bike lanes/protected/separated will add to the accessibility and enjoyment of downtown. Completely shutting down a segment of Broadway would create a safe, possibly beautiful pedestrian space of the likes of Old Town Fort Collins, that is so successful, they aren't about to open it up seasonally! Billings needs safe bike access and such pedestrian areas as just part of helping to be an attractive place to live and raise a family. Include 2nd Ave to 3rd Ave closure. Indifferent on this issue
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 53 It doesn't make sense to close a thru street that crosses the railroad tracks. Again I would like to see improved traffic flow not restrictions and closures. I use this route as a truck driver to bypass the congestion on 27th street. It is so often closed anyway, it may as well be a festival street. I like the idea of the walking mall like in Helena. There is so much parking in the area, I think the few spots lost on Broadway wouldn't be a big deal AT ALL. It needs to be permanently closed, allow outdoor seating and dining, music, lights, should have been done years ago. It should be closed from Montana to 2nd ...from the Northern to Alberta Bair theater. It would be great to have a dedicated community space for events in the summer. It would cut back on parking and hurt businesses. Make it from 1st Ave N to 3rd Ave N - after 2nd & 3rd are converted back to two-way traffic. Make it permanent! A pedestrian plaza! might be ok if no money is spent to reconstruct intersection. try it for one year and see what citizens feel. was it well used. how does traffic flow. dont spend more money on something like the waste of skypoint. My customers are sick of the downtown construction on the streets. They don't want to come down and deal with this construction year after year after year. Since we had covid-19 and lost 6 weeks of retail business, now people don't want to come down because they're changing out perfectly good lights. They are also putting in metal bumpy blocks to tell blind people that they're at the end of the block. These work perfectly good in warm climates where we don't have to shovel the snow. These are very hard to clean the snow off and become very icy in the winter and will cause many falls. Something like a rumble strip where there were cuts in the cement could have easily told someone where the walking stick that they were at the end of the block. since reopening I have not had any clients come in that didn't mention the catastrophe that is going on downtown. The timing was terrible, so we need to let the downtown sit quietly and become friendly again. The biggest problem with riding a bicycle in Billings Montana is that it is illegal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk in the downtown area and legal to write it on the sidewalk in other parts of Billings. Then the Billings police ride their bicycles on the sidewalk so that people really get confused. most of the people who drive cars think the bicycles are not supposed to be on the road because the police are on the sidewalk on their bikes. Change that law and you might end the confusion. Cars are supposed to share the road. That is the law. N28th Promenade. That is GREAT! We've said this for years at the Fire Dept. Need wider sidewalks on Broadway, or make it feel wider. Would like to see urban design at its best :) Broadway could evolve into something like Georgia St in Indianapolis, or Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. no there is not reason for traffic to be there and with the garages there is plenty of parking Open up the streets to pedestrians and vendors. Permanent closure to allow a promenade would be best. This is the next-best option. Permanently close Skypoint and turn it into a mall or park. Prefer permanent closure Quit mis spending the tax dollars of the people!!! This kind of thing isn't free and I'm guessing not cheap. Use the money for something needed Seems like this would be good for business, especially during Covid. People may feel safer. Could be a good step towards complete opening to people, all the time. Stop with the made up projects. Bike lanes are not necessary. Stop wasting our tax dollars. None of the 6 projects are of any priority to me. You don't allow that choice in the question below. So do not count my answers in the next question. No priority because none of them should be done. Wasting taxes again. The Billings Fire Department has concerns with a seasonal closure of Broadway. the idea deserves a chance. If no support after a few years then discontinue. The proposal should encompass more streets from Montana Ave to 4th Ave as the businesses up from Sky Point are always treated poorly and forgotten about a majority of the time due to overexposure of the listed area. "The ranking below is completely loaded. There is no opportunity to rank anything except the bicycle alternatives. Leaving things as they are is a viable alternative but you have omitted, one would assume intentionally to slant results.
Additionally, you have a requirement to agree to terms and conditions, but none are listed." The seasonal road closure would be a huge benefit for downtown culture. The streets already get closed off for seasonal activity. Why spend the taxpayer dollars doing something that already exists? Doesn't make sense There is a lot of traffic on all streets, trying to turn without one ways will create traffic delays and fender benders by people testing/racing through lights.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 54 Think bigger. Closing one street isn't enough for downtown. Recommend creating a 6-8 block town center pedestrian safe zone. See comments above. This depends on the amount of events going on here during a said season. This is a neat idea. I really enjoy this area of downtown and spend time there nearly every day. This is an excellent idea! This is ridiculous and unnecessary. This is the best idea in the entire survey. That area would make a phenomenal walking district. It's already the heart of downtown, and it would draw people to downtown to just be in that space. Of course, they would spread out from there, but it would be the central gathering place. I've been saying Billings should do this for years (mostly to myself). Great idea! This really is a pedestrian-first atmosphere is the summer. It's fun. Let's do that. This seems like a "no brainer"! It would enhance the downtown greatly, and I believe that the downtown business owners would support it! This would be a delightful, community enhancing place to enjoy each other. This would be amazing! This would encourage folks to come downtown during the seasonal This would provide attractive, fun event possibilities with better distancing available! I'm shocked how hard it was to walk down Broadway and stay six feet from other people, especially with the construction sidewalk closures. "Use this BLOCK OFF only for scheduled events
AS for the PREFERENCES Below WASTE $ Make DT Business Friendly.... How Many Bike People come DT and buy from the merchants VERY FEW ... Possibly the Coffee Shops NOT Food or Bar Vendors...." We have Doc Harper's on Broadway with the parklet. People say all the time they would to see street closed and how much they enjoy the parklet. We love the multi-use trails in Billings, but we do not ride in traffic. (too old). We would like to see more segregated trails v. bike lanes. we need the parking available, it is already hard enough to find parking for all those businesses. What would the purpose be of closing it for certain periods? Is it just for a couple of days for festivals or weeks at a time? Why was the Alberta Bair allowed to use the sidewalk...... terrible idea for a downtown that is congested with buses and traffic during events Would seasonal just be in the summer? or would it also include a winter closure and allow for things such as winter bazaars/ festivals, ice skating, etc.? Yes, close Broadway for summer to allow for the restaurants to have patio seating with decorative plants and hanging Edison lights across the street to enhance the summer downtown social atmosphere. Yes, yes, YES!! You should close this permanently and allow pedestrian street Mall with outdoor seating for all restaurants.
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 55 APPENDIX B: Example Outreach Materials and Media APPENDIX B: OUTREACH MATERIALS
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1 Digital Postcard
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Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 57 APPENDIX B: OUTREACH MATERIALS (CONTINUED) Poster
OF BI Y IN HELP DESIGN THE T I S C FUTUR OF DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC STUDY
The recent Downtown Billings Give us your feedback. We want to Your feedback will be used in planning Tra c Study identi ed know what you think about these future designs and improvements six alternatives. six alternatives! to Downtown Billings!
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! TAKE THE SURVEY: Simply hold your smart phone’s camera over the QR code.
PROJECT MAP Proposed adjustments to downtown tra c ow are illustrated. Public perspectives on these alternatives will steer future developments.
6th Ave N
4th Ave N
Broadway Ave Broadway 3rd Ave N
2nd Ave N St 13th N
Divison Street
Montana Ave
1st Ave S
LEGEND ALTERNATIVES One-Way to Two-Way Road Diet Seasonal Road Closure Project Boundary Street Conversion Montana Ave Broadway Ave City of Billings North/South Bound 6th Ave N Parks/OpenSpace East/West Bound N 13th St
Downtown Billings Traffic Study: Alternative Prioritization and Public Preference Plan | Draft Report 58 APPENDIX B: OUTREACH MATERIALS (CONTINUED) Press Releases
June 19, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lisa Olmsted, Public Involvement Manager, (406) 869-6329, [email protected]
Public Feedback on Future Downtown Billings Traffic System is Requested
The Billings Yellowstone County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking public input regarding six potential alternatives to the downtown Billings traffic system that were identified by a recent traffic study. Public input on the options is being collected and will be used to steer future planning efforts.
The feasible alternatives being posed for public consideration include: North and South One-Way to Two-Way Conversions – Converts remaining north and south one-way streets between Division Street and 24th Street to two-way operation and provides potential bicycle facilities consistent with the City’s Bikeways & Trails Master Plan. • 2nd Avenue N & 3rd Avenue N One-Way to Two-Way Conversions • 6th Avenue N Road Diet (Main Street to North 13th Street) – – Converts the one-way segments of 2nd Avenue N and 3rd Avenue N Reduces 6th Avenue N from five lanes to four lanes from Main Street to between Division Street and 22nd Street to two-way operation and 13th Street and provides a potential bicycle facility consistent with the provides potential bicycle facilities consistent with the City’s Bikeways & City’s Bikeways & Trails Master Plan. Trails Master Plan. • 13th Street Road Diet between 6th Avenue North and 1st Avenue • Montana Avenue Road Diet (Division Street to 18th Street) – North – Converts 13th Street to a two-lane roadway with or without a Reduces Montana Avenue from three lanes to two lanes from Division center turn lane and provides potential bicycle facilities consistent with Street to 18th Street, provides potential bicycle facilities consistent with the City’s Bikeways & Trails Master Plan. the City’s Bikeways & Trails Master Plan, and maximizes on-street • Broadway Street Seasonal Closure – Creates a festival street by parking. seasonally closing Broadway Street to vehicles between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue.
Page 1 of 2 Members of the public are encouraged to participate in an online survey available at https://dowl.mysocialpinpoint.com/downtown-billings-traffic-study. The site offers the opportunity to provide specific feedback on the proposed alternatives through an online survey, a budgeting tool to help prioritize how funds are allocated, and a digital bulletin board for other thoughts and perspectives. A link to the full Downtown Billings Traffic Study document and general project information are also available.
Following the public participation phase of the project, the findings will be documented in a report and presented to the MPO and community leaders.
Comments, questions, or concerns can be directed to Lisa Olmsted at [email protected] or by calling (406) 869-6329.
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